One day, a student asked the Master: “Is the zebra a white horse or a black horse?”
The Master smiled and, after a short pause, said,”Let me tell you a story.”
A zebra was grazing in the field when a white horse approached him and asked: “Are you a white horse or a black horse?” The zebra replied: “I am not sure”.
The white horse said: “I am a white horse because I am entirely white. You are not. You are a black horse with white stripes”.
Later, a black horse joined them and asked the zebra: “Are you a white or black horse?” Zebra replied: “I think I am neither”.
The black horse said, “I am completely black. So, I am a black horse. You are not. You are a white horse with black stripes.”
For a long while, the white and black horses argued furiously about who was right. But the zebra is now fully convinced that he is neither a white nor a black horse. He is a zebra!
Nothing can be defined as white or black, right or wrong, good or bad. Such dualistic judgement, placing things only at one or the other extremity, is unrealistic. Indeed, it is not possible. Everything, on its own, is neutral. Our perception and interpretation give it meaning, purpose and value. But it has its strengths and weaknesses, brightness and darkness, white and black. Therefore, our perception and assessment of it has to be between the extremes, balanced in the middle way. Do not stubbornly insist on an “either-or” judgement.
We often read about surveys that classify, say, a certain ABC airport as the best in the world. Is this the absolute truth? Such surveys are done based on certain selected parameters that favour ABC. Without involving other criteria (which are almost infinite), how can we conclude ABC is the best? For sure, ABC does have its share of unfavourable and bad points.
“Have the cake and eat it” is a common saying. But why must we choose between eating the cake and keeping it? We can eat half the cake and keep the other half—a middle-way solution.
In daily life, we have to make choices and decisions. Whatever choice we make, it can never be perfect and meet our desires and interests. Whatever decision, it can never be one with a 100% successful outcome.
We must always accept the middle way, taking the good with the bad. One of the greatest challenges of our young people is choosing a university course that can provide them with a successful and wealthy professional career. Yet this may not meet their personal interests at all. It has to be a compromise, a middle-way solution.
Remembering that we can never be right in our perception and judgement is essential. Others can sometimes be more correct than us. Listening to others can help us obtain a more balanced view and assessment.
The Master said to the student before the latter left: “See and interpret things as they are, but not in a dualistic manner. See them as zebras.”
This is the Zebra Perception.
Cheong Quee Wah
Cheong Quee Wah, graduated in engineering and business administration, was in the government service for 24 years, and had held the appointment of permanent secretary in various ministries. He also studied traditional Chinese herbal medicine and is a trained qigong master.
