Wood that I could...

Ch'ing, the chief carpenter, was carving wood into a stand for hanging musical instruments. When finished, the work appeared to those who saw it marveled. The prince of Lu asked him, saying, 'What mystery is there in your art?' 'No mystery, your Highness', replied Ch'ing; 'and yet there is something. 'When I am about to make such a stand, I stand against any diminution of my vital power. I first reduce my mind to absolute quiet. Three days in this state and I become oblivious of any reward to be gained. Five days, and I become oblivious of any fame to be acquired. Seven days, and I become unconscious of my four limbs and my physical frame. Then, with no thought of the Court present to my mind, my skill becomes concentrated, and all disturbing elements from without are gone. I enter some mountain forest. I search for a suitable tree. It contains the form required, which is afterwards elaborated. I see the stand in my mind's eye, and then set to work.

                                                                                                       - Chuang Tzu

I have a long way to go.

                                                   - David Maslar