101 Zen Stories: Story # 19 : The First Principle — The Freedom of Flow
<p>Kosen carved beautiful calligraphy for a temple, but his criticizing pupil disliked each draft. After 84 tries, the pupil left. Kosen quickly wrote “The First Principle” freely without the pupil’s scrutiny. The pupil then praised this version as a masterpiece.</p>
<p>The story illustrates that criticism and self-judgment restrict creative flow. Kosen produced his best work by entering a state of presence, unhindered by his pupil’s harsh feedback.</p>
<p>The meaning is that overthinking and worry stifle our natural expression. Letting go of outcomes liberates the mind to realize its full potential. By avoiding negative self-talk and external critique, we can unlock our most authentic skills and ideas.</p>
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