A well-known warrior approached a famous monastery and demanded to see the head monk. He asked this monk teach him everything that he knew about heaven and hell. The wise monk looked the warrior over and then mocked: "You are too stupid to understand the subtle differences. An arrogant, ugly, small-minded man like you is unfit to be my student nor worth of my time.” After a few more minutes of such abuse, anger conquered the warrior, and he screamed "I will show you death then!" and unsheathed his sword, raising it high. The monk paused, smiled, and calmly said "That is hell." The warrior pushed his sword back into its scabbard as he realized that a great truth had just been revealed to him, and he became peaceful. Afterward, the monk smiled again and said, "That is heaven."
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I hope you enjoyed the above Zen Parable. Regardless of your personal theology (or lack of one), it is clear that choices dictate the outcomes of life. Choose wisely.
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