I know how to eat this.
This is a story shared by my meditation teacher,
saying that in life, those who are self-assertive
cannot accommodate others.
In the past, when I lived in a countryside,
one of the relatives brought a bag of snack.
A boy with a runny nose brought it out to the town
to brag and eat it.
The leader of the kids in the neighborhood said,
"I also know how to eat this."
But this boy ate it all as if he couldn't hear him.
Because he is the boss, because of his ego,
he doesn't know how to ask for it.
He should have gently said,
"Can you please give me some snack?"
but he only says "I can eat this, too, you know."
If his purpose is eating the snack,
he should act to obtain the snack.
The boy, as if to tease, finishes the snack,
and then the leader, all he can say is,
"Hey bastard, I also know how to eat this,"
and cries, making a scene.
Have you had similar experiences?
Times when emotions took over
because you couldn't express
yourself honestly and clearly?
If so, it's time to reflect on the ego-driven mind,
such as fear of rejection, conflict, criticism,
concern about reputation, lack of courage,
or wanting to hide vulnerability.
Just as the leader's emotional outburst
in the story seems unwise,
let us clear all the troubled minds
and interact easily with others.
