“The possibilities are numerous once we decide to act and not react.”

– George Bernard Shaw, Irish playwright essayist, novelist and short-story writer

There’s an old Japanese tale about a belligerent samurai who challenged a Zen master to explain a mystical concept: the difference between heaven and hell.

“I won’t waste my time!” declared the monk. “You’re nothing but a fool!”

His honour attacked, the samurai flew into a rage, drew his sword from its sheath and, holding it to the master’s throat, yelled, “I should kill you for your insolence.”

“That,” replied the monk, “is hell.”

Though aggressive and reactionary, the young samurai was not a fool. He pondered the insigh...

Please subscribe to keep reading.