105 - Get yourself out of the way

A woodcarver had just finished work on a statue of Saraswati. Everyone who saw it marvelled, for it seemed to be the work of spirits. When the King saw it, he asked, "What sort of genius is yours that you could make such a thing?"

The woodcarver replied, "Sit, I am only a simple workman. I am no genius. But there is one thing. When I am going to make a statue I meditate for three days to calm my mind. When I have meditated for three days I think no more about rewards or emoluments. When I have meditated for five days I  no longer think of praise or blame, skillfulness or awkwardness. When I have meditated for seven days I suddenly forget my limbs, my body. I forget my very self. I lose consciousness of the court and my surroundings. Only my skill remains. In that state I walk into the forest and examine each tree until I find one in which I see the statue in all its perfection. Then my hands go to the task. Having set my self aside, nature meets nature in the work that is performed through me. This, no doubt is the reason why everyone says that the finished product is the work of the spirit. "

Said a world famous violinist about his success in playing, Beethoven's Violin Converto, "I have splendid music, a splendid violin and a splendid bow. All I need to do is bring them together and get out of the way.'

source: Stories from Here and There, Ekalavya Education Foundation - By: Sunil Handa - http://www.eklavya.org/storyhere.html