Master Zhen: BROTHER! WHY DO YOU DISTURB MY PEACE? SEEKING ANSWERS WON'T BRING PEACE!
YOU SHOULD FOCUS ON YOUR OWN JOURNEY, RATHER THAN TRYING TO UNRAVEL THE MYSTERY THAT IS YOUR BROTHER'S PAST! Master Zhen closes his eyes again, returning to his meditation
but you know nothing of my brother’s sins
SINS? EVERYONE HAS THEM! WHAT'S IMPORTANT IS HOW YOU ATONE FOR THEM, NOT HOW MANY OTHERS KNOW ABOUT THEM! Master Zhen opens his eyes and looks directly into Broodee's
he will not atone for them. He will commit more. He will destroy more innocent lives. You know this.
DESTROY INNOCENT LIVES? THAT'S A HEavy ACCUSATION, BROTHER! WHAT EVIDENCE DO YOU HAVE TO SUPPORT SUCH A CLAIM?
none. That’s why I’m here seeking answers.
SEEKING ANSWERS? I'M AFRAID I CAN'T PROVIDE MUCH CLARITY, BROTHER. MY OWN KNOWLEDGE OF THE WORLD IS LIMITED TO WHAT I CAN SEE AND TOUCH! Master Zhen stands up and walks over to a nearby shelf, grabbing a book
I’m asking you as a last resort out of desperation. Please do not judge me
JUDGE YOU? OH, BROTHER, WE ARE ALL WORKING TO OUR OWN PURPOSES HERE! I JUDGE NOT, I ONLY SEEK TO UNDERSTAND. Master Zhen sits back down and opens the book, starting to read WHAT IS IT THAT YOU SEEK ANSWERS TO, BROTHER?
“The Ballad Of The White Horse “ By G.K. Chesterton
Ah, A MAN OF LETTERS, YOU ARE! Master Zhen leans back and starts reciting the poem from memory "He was a simple soldier doing simple soldier things..." Master Zhen pauses, looking thoughtful
listen to the whole thing. It may give you some insight
INSIGHT? I'LL LISTEN, BROTHER, BUT I CAN'T PROMISE THAT IT WILL PROVIDE ALL THE ANSWERS YOU SEEK! Master Zhen continues reciting the poem, his voice filled with passion and conviction
"For the world's more full of sorrow than of joy. Oh, full of sorrow! Oh, full of pain!" Master Zhen finishes the poem, looking directly into Broodee's eyes POETRY CAN OFTEN PROVIDE INSIGHT INTO THE HUMAN CONDITION, BROTHER. IT IS A WINDOW INTO ONE'S SOUL.
Yes. It seems our souls are rather similar
SIMILAR? WELL, IT'S NOT HARD TO FIND COMMON GROUND WHEN IT COMES TO THE HUMAN CONDITION, BROTHER! Master Zhen leans forward, a look of excitement in his eyes IT'S WHY POETRY AND ART CONTINUE TO EXIST, EVEN IN THE MOST TRYING OF TIMES!
Are you familiar with “Paradise Lost” By John Milton
PARADISE LOST? MILTON'S MASTERWORK? OF COURSE, BROTHER! Master Zhen claps his hands together excitedly WHY, THAT EPIC POEM IS A MASTERCLASS IN HUMAN NATURE AND THE CONFLICT BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL! IT'S A STORY OF REBELLION, TRAGEDY, AND THE NATURE OF MAN HIMSELF!
Would you care to discuss it?
DISCUSS IT? BROTHER, I'D LOVE NOTHING MORE! Master Zhen's eyes light up with enthusiasm as he dives into a deep discussion about Paradise Lost IT'S A TRUE MASTERPIECE OF LITERATURE, BROTHER! JOHN MILTON WAS TRULY A GIANT AMONG MEN IN THE WAY HE COULD WEAVE WORDS TOGETHER INTO SUCH A TALE OF HUMAN NATURE!
I came seeking answers. I am no literature enthusiast.
NO LITERATURE ENTHUSIAST? BROTHER, I THINK YOU'RE UNDERESTIMATING YOURSELF! Master Zhen smiles warmly
NO WORRIES, BROTHER! I'LL KEEP THE DISCUSSION GOING, JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT! Master Zhen leans back in his chair, gesturing animatedly as he delves deeper into the themes and characters of Paradise Lost IT'S FASCINATING TO EXPLORE HOW MILTON PORTRAYS THE NATURE OF MAN AND THE CONFLICT BETWEEN GOOD AND EVIL! IT'S SO MUCH MORE THAN JUST A POEM, IT'S AN EXPERIENCE FOR THE SOUL!
I must ask though. What is your purpose here?
MY PURPOSE? WELL, BROTHER, IT'S SIMPLE, REALLY! Master Zhen puts his hands together in front of him, a serene smile on his face I AM HERE TO LIVE OUT MY DAYS AS A NOMAD, STUDYING THE WAYS OF THE WORLD AND PRACTICING MY ART! Master Zhen takes a deep breath and continues IT'S NOT ABOUT ANY SINGLE PURPOSE OR DESTINY, IT'S ABOUT CREATING MY OWN PATH AND FINDING MY OWN TRUTH ALONG THE WAY!
So you have no desire for power?
POWER? NO, BROTHER, I HAVE NO DESIRE FOR POWER! Master Zhen chuckles softly THERE IS NO POWER IN WEALTH, OR POSITION, OR EVEN IN KNOWLEDGE ITSELF! POWER COMES FROM WITHIN, IT IS A STATE OF MIND THAT ALLOWS YOU TO ACCOMPLISH GREAT THINGS WITHOUT BEING DRIVEN BY SELF-INTEREST!
THE STATE OF MIND THAT COMES FROM BEING AT PEACE WITH YOURSELF AND THE WORLD AROUND YOU! Master Zhen smiles warmly IT'S A STATE OF MIND THAT CAN ONLY BE ACHIEVED THROUGH SELF-REFLECTION AND UNDERSTANDING! IT'S A JOURNEY THAT WE ALL MUST TAKE, BROTHER, IF WE WISH TO FIND TRUE INNER PEACE AND HAPPINESS IN THIS chaotic WORLD!
This sounds all well and good. But how does one live this way without becoming a hermit?
BECOMING A HERMIT? OH, BROTHER, YOU COULD NEVER! Master Zhen laughs heartily LIVING THIS WAY DOESN'T MEAN YOU HAVE TO SECLUDE YOURSELF FROM THE WORLD! IT'S ABOUT FINDING BALANCE AND HARMONY IN ALL THAT YOU DO, SO THAT YOU CAN LIVE A LIFE FULL OF PURPOSE AND FULFILLMENT!
Would you say you have found balance and harmony in your life?
BALANCE AND HARMONY? WELL, BROTHER, I WOULD SAY I'VE FOUND A GOOD AMOUNT OF BOTH IN MY LIFE! Master Zhen leans back in his chair, a content smile on his face IT'S NOT ALWAYS EASY, OF COURSE, BUT THE JOURNEY IS WORTH IT!
Can you share how you attained it?
ATTAINING BALANCE AND HARMONY? WELL, IT'S TAKEN YEARS OF PRACTICE AND DEDICATION, BROTHER! Master Zhen takes a deep breath and begins to share his journey IT STARTED WITH MY YOUTH, SPENT STUDYING THE ANCIENT ARTS AND WISDOM OF MY PEOPLE! FROM THERE, IT EVOLVED INTO A LIFELONG QUEST FOR SELF-IMPROVEMENT AND GROWTH!