The Lessons of Willpower

In the serene, secluded mountains where the guru resided, life had settled into a rhythm that was both tranquil and challenging. The disciples, including myself, had come to call this place our home. We shared our days in the guru's presence, learning the ways of the world and ourselves. My peers had been here for years training under the guru. The only reason I could study along with them was the knowledge that I acquired from back home and the knowledge I shored up while I recovered this past year. The technological advancements of this world and back home are pretty similar after all. Though the West is far more pronounced in magi-tech.

In our humble abode, nestled among the tall pines, was a haven of simplicity. We carried out daily household chores with as much dedication as our studies. It was in these chores that we discovered valuable life lessons, often with a dash of humor.

One crisp morning when dawn had yet to be broken, I found myself elbow-deep in soapy water, washing dishes alongside two fellow disciples, the friends I had made in this new world. Ren, a jovial soul with a penchant for cracking jokes, wielded a dishcloth with exaggerated flair. On the other side of the sink stood Arya, a no-nonsense and disciplined learner, her focus unwavering even in mundane dishwashing.

Ren grinned mischievously, bubbles flying. "You know," he quipped, "I heard that mastering dishwashing is the first step to enlightenment."

Arya rolled her eyes but couldn't help but smirk. "Only if you can do it with a clear mind and unwavering focus." She said so while doing the dishes with utmost dedication.

The warm water soaked my hands as I joined in on the banter. "Well," I chimed in, "maybe it's all about finding balance, like, the yin and yang of dishwashing."

Ren nodded enthusiastically, his dishcloth swirling in the air. "Exactly! The secret to the universe is hidden in these suds."

Ren was a striking figure among the group of junior disciples, exuding an air of confidence. He was tall well over 6 feet possessing a lean and athletic build, and toned muscles that hinted at a rigorous training regimen. His jet-black hair, kept neatly short, frames a chiseled face with sharp features, giving him a sense of youthful intensity.

Arya shook her head exasperated, a chuckle escaping her lips. "You two are ridiculous. Enlightenment or not, let's just finish these dishes."

Arya was a tall woman with accentuating features. Her long, flowing ebony hair cascades gracefully down her back, a stark contrast to her often serious and composed demeanor. Her facial features were finely chiseled, with a heart-shaped face that accentuated her almond-shaped, deep brown eyes. Arya's gaze holds a penetrating intensity, revealing a sharp and analytical mind behind her reserved exterior. Her expressions were subtle, conveying a sense of inner wisdom and maturity that belies her youthful appearance.

Ren couldn't resist one more wisecrack. "You know, when I achieve enlightenment, I'm going to wash dishes with my mind. No need for soap and water."

Arya and I burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the kitchen. The guru had repeatedly made it clear that the journey we were on was not just about physical and spiritual growth; it was also about the connections we forged and the friendships that blossomed in the most unexpected of places.

I chuckled, appreciating the camaraderie that had developed between us during our time here. The guru had a way of bringing people together through shared experiences, even mundane ones like dishwashing.

Looking back our first lesson with the guru had been on strengthening our bodies. It was tough, needless to say, I lagged behind compared to others because of my body. As we wiped down dishes, I recalled the grueling exercises that had left our muscles screaming for mercy. The guru's advice had been simple but profound. I repeated those teachings in my mind as if it were a mantra. 'The body will move as long as the will remains, but all is lost when one’s will crumbles.'

As soon as we were done with the chores we were called to continue our training. The guru had the ability to make clones of himself so he could give each group their undivided attention. The disciples also could grow in their own time and pace best suited for them. Coupled with his patience, wisdom, and his merciless training regime, he was truly an ideal teacher. We headed to our designated place for training, not wanting to be late. The current part of our training after body strengthening focused on mental fortitude. We gathered in a peaceful courtyard, surrounded by vibrant flowers and the soothing hum of nature.

The guru was already there when we reached there. He beckoned us to sit down cross-legged and then he proceeded to lead us in meditation, guiding our minds toward clarity and stillness.

However sitting cross-legged, I struggled to silence the chatter of my thoughts. 'It's as if my mind has a mind of its own, bouncing from one idea to the next like a hyperactive child.' I was frustrated, deep in my heart I knew following the guru's teachings was the only chance of regaining my life. Yet my mind was still wandering. We had been at this for days now with no progress. I took deep breaths, trying to calm myself down.

'I am being impatient. That would only work against me. I need to be calm.'

Beside me, Ren fidgeted, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I can't stop thinking about breakfast, all I can hear right now is my stomach grumbling," he muttered, breaking the silence.

Arya, always the disciplined one, shot him a disapproving glance. "Ren, focus."

The guru, unperturbed by our antics, continued to instruct us on the importance of a calm and focused mind. "In the chaos of the world, your mind is your anchor. Train it to remain steady, like a rock in a raging river. The desires of the flesh are the turbulent flow of the river trying to upend the rock of its steady state. One must train and discipline their body to work with their mind."

Our lessons in mental training had proven to be more challenging than any physical exercise. The guru encouraged us to embrace the chaos of our thoughts and to observe them without judgment. It was a lesson in patience and self-acceptance, it was also easier said than done. In other words, I had to look within myself as if I were a spectator to my own mind. I could not wrap my head around this. But at the same time, I remember having read something about meditation.

'If I remember it correctly, it was a passage from Bhagavad Gita. The gist of it was:

The mind is similar to a still lake that has been disturbed by the arrival of stones or wind gusts, which creates ripples that disrupt self-perception. It is vital to calm these volatile waves brought about by worldly desires via the practice of meditation in order to properly comprehend oneself and recognize the presence of God within.

Right, comparing these two teachings, the lake remains in a state of perpetual motion as its water molecules are constantly in flux, yet it presents an illusion of tranquility when seen from afar. The surface might be calm but the lake itself is anything but. Is that what I'm supposed to do? Be like the lake?'

The guru had left us after offering his words of wisdom and an older disciple had come to supervise us.

With the sun's soft rays warming our backs, I couldn't help but feel a sense of togetherness because of our common struggle with this sleep-inducing training. Naturally, being sleepy rewarded us with a whack on the shoulder from a very sizable bamboo stick.

Ren, still restless but making an effort, whispered to me, "You know, I think I saw a squirrel doing a better job at meditating than me."

I stifled a laugh and added with a playful tone, "Maybe the squirrel could teach us a thing or two about zen."

Arya shot us both an exasperated look. "Guys, we're supposed to be finding inner peace here."

‘Whack’, ‘Whack’, ‘Whack’ all three of us were left groaning. Right, no talk.

Even though it pained, Ren and I exchanged foolish grins while Arya glared down the both of us.

As the days turned into weeks, we got better at meditation. The aim was to learn that strength came not only from the body but from the unyielding will of the mind. To get an unyielding body one must first cultivate an unyielding mind. The guru recounted many incidents where people with incurable illnesses, people at the brink of death, and people whom everyone had given up all hope for, had shocked the world with their recovery and transformations. With each dish we washed, each meditation we practiced, and each shared laugh, we grew one step closer to understanding the profound teachings of the guru.