The beginning? In the beginning the first world, whatever it might be was created, somehow, or whatever created it was created. She could debate prime mover theory until time itself ended, but clearly that wasn't what he was after. She was glad he actually clarified with more direct questions.
As questions went, when he got to them, his were fairly decent. And the question as to why it was called Diamond Mind was not one she was often asked. The other? Asked by Oneahn youngsters who were tired for generations. Both questions, she was sure, would lead each to more questions.
"I shall answer one, and when I have finished, if the other is what you next wish to ask, I will answer that, if another has come up in the course of my answer, you can of course, change which I answer next. I am willing to answer both, but to attempt to answer both at the same time would be as confusing as if I had begin at the vague and unspecified beginning."
She considered her words, chose them with care.
"The exercises are useful in a great many ways," she said finally. "They are an outward and tangible expression of the mastery you gain over the self, the organization, control, and clarity of mind. To have Diamond mind is to master yourself, and to Master a great many disciplines in the process." He might no longer need the other question to be answered, but she was prepared if he still did. "Science, math, philosophy, wrestling, art, music, all work together, all are needed. In practicing the forms of Diamond Mind, the physical forms, you are practicing that mastery. If you would allow, I would make a demonstration."
She rose then carefully sank back down, not into a seated position, but into a very deep stance that looked like a very uncomfortable squat. "This is called Stone Bench, and it is one of the first stances we teach, because it is one of the most painful." She seemed completely at ease. "It does serve a purpose, as a defensible position, as it is nearly impossible to trip someone who has mastered Stone Bench when they are in that form. If the ground is firm under them, it takes much effort to push them down, and they are little likely to allow you that opportunity. You may take the stance, if you wish," she added.
"When our youths first attempt Stone Bench, slippers are placed upon their legs, they are bade to stand without allowing the slippers to fall. Most cannot, if they have not been taught separately. Stone Bench is, as I said, uncomfortable the first time, the first hundred times it is taken, when done properly. And in truth, there are better ways we teach to keep from being removed from your stance, that work in any stance. But the rooted walk comes later. It is enough that students accept the reasoning that this is a defensible position. As students who are not yet masters, it is their inclination to argue when something does not make sense. And when one has the vantage of wisdom, such argument can be, in its time, itself wise. However, students need to learn what is learned here, and what is truly being learned is far more than a stance. This form is used to teach a student how to master their own pain."
She held her hands before her. "The last class I taught, in a single session half of them proved they could stand in this stance as long as I required. When they first tried, all save two lasted less than a minute. It is not torture, and it is not prolonged. But to master Diamond Mind, Stone Bench must be first itself mastered. I can teach you the trick, if you wish it. As you know it is not actually about being unable to be pushed over, the ground being sand under our feet will hamper little. I have no slipper, but at a touch, I can tell if your legs do tremble. A sign of Mastery is being able to stand as long as needed in this way, where they do not. You may feel mine if you wish, they move naught at all, save when I tell them to."
Sorry about the wall of text here.
As questions went, when he got to them, his were fairly decent. And the question as to why it was called Diamond Mind was not one she was often asked. The other? Asked by Oneahn youngsters who were tired for generations. Both questions, she was sure, would lead each to more questions.
"I shall answer one, and when I have finished, if the other is what you next wish to ask, I will answer that, if another has come up in the course of my answer, you can of course, change which I answer next. I am willing to answer both, but to attempt to answer both at the same time would be as confusing as if I had begin at the vague and unspecified beginning."
She considered her words, chose them with care.
"The exercises are useful in a great many ways," she said finally. "They are an outward and tangible expression of the mastery you gain over the self, the organization, control, and clarity of mind. To have Diamond mind is to master yourself, and to Master a great many disciplines in the process." He might no longer need the other question to be answered, but she was prepared if he still did. "Science, math, philosophy, wrestling, art, music, all work together, all are needed. In practicing the forms of Diamond Mind, the physical forms, you are practicing that mastery. If you would allow, I would make a demonstration."
She rose then carefully sank back down, not into a seated position, but into a very deep stance that looked like a very uncomfortable squat. "This is called Stone Bench, and it is one of the first stances we teach, because it is one of the most painful." She seemed completely at ease. "It does serve a purpose, as a defensible position, as it is nearly impossible to trip someone who has mastered Stone Bench when they are in that form. If the ground is firm under them, it takes much effort to push them down, and they are little likely to allow you that opportunity. You may take the stance, if you wish," she added.
"When our youths first attempt Stone Bench, slippers are placed upon their legs, they are bade to stand without allowing the slippers to fall. Most cannot, if they have not been taught separately. Stone Bench is, as I said, uncomfortable the first time, the first hundred times it is taken, when done properly. And in truth, there are better ways we teach to keep from being removed from your stance, that work in any stance. But the rooted walk comes later. It is enough that students accept the reasoning that this is a defensible position. As students who are not yet masters, it is their inclination to argue when something does not make sense. And when one has the vantage of wisdom, such argument can be, in its time, itself wise. However, students need to learn what is learned here, and what is truly being learned is far more than a stance. This form is used to teach a student how to master their own pain."
She held her hands before her. "The last class I taught, in a single session half of them proved they could stand in this stance as long as I required. When they first tried, all save two lasted less than a minute. It is not torture, and it is not prolonged. But to master Diamond Mind, Stone Bench must be first itself mastered. I can teach you the trick, if you wish it. As you know it is not actually about being unable to be pushed over, the ground being sand under our feet will hamper little. I have no slipper, but at a touch, I can tell if your legs do tremble. A sign of Mastery is being able to stand as long as needed in this way, where they do not. You may feel mine if you wish, they move naught at all, save when I tell them to."