3 Bullet-Sundays — Aug 23, 2020
I can think, I can wait, I can fast
Below is an excerpt from Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse:
The protagonist, Siddhartha, a monk who looks like a beggar, has come to the city and falls in love with a famous courtesan named Kamala. He attempts to court her, and she asks, "What do you have?" A well-known merchant similarly asks, "What can you give that you have learned?" His answer is the same in both cases, so I've included the latter story here. Siddartha ultimately acquires all that he wants.
Merchant: "But if you don't mind me asking: being without possessions, what would you like to give?"
Siddhartha: "Everyone gives what he has. The warrior gives strength, the merchant gives merchandise, the teacher teachings, the farmer rice, the fisher fish."
Merchant: "Yes indeed. And what is it now what you've got to give? What is it that you've learned, what you're able to do?"
Siddhartha: "I can think. I can wait. I can fast."
Merchant: "That's everything?"
Siddhartha: "I believe, that's everything!"
Merchant: "And what's the use of that? For example, the fasting-- what is it good for?"
Siddhartha: "It is very good, sir. When a person has nothing to eat, fasting is the smartest thing he could do. When, for example, Siddhartha hadn't learned to fast, he would have to accept any kind of service before this day is up, whether it may be with you or wherever, because hunger would force him to do so. But like this, Siddhartha can wait calmly, he knows no impatience, he knows no emergency, for a long time he can allow hunger to besiege him and can laugh about it. This, sir, is what fasting is good for."
"I can think" - Develop mental frameworks for effective thinking, allowing you to better understand reality and know when to reject conventional wisdom.
"I can wait" - Being able to plan long term, play the long game and not having to say yes to mediocre opportunities. This makes room for you to take on life-changing opportunities when it comes.
"I can fast" - Having grit and self-control. Training yourself to be uncommonly resilient and tough. Mastery may just be another practice away.