The Master and his students lived in a small town by the river. One day, suddenly, the town was hit by a powerful storm, bringing strong wind and heavy rainfall. After the storm, many big and tall trees were uprooted. Surprisingly, the smaller trees, such as willows and bamboo, were not damaged. The students asked the Master why.
Master explained: “The big trees are extensive with their widely stretched branches and foliage. This provides a large surface area for the wind to hit, generating a great force. And because they are firmly anchored and rigid, the force is much more powerful than that, hitting the flexible willows and bamboo trees. Thus, they are uprooted.”
Just as large and tall trees can attract powerful wind that can topple them, a high-profile lifestyle and behaviour can similarly attract unnecessary attention that may ruin one’s life.
In the novel “Journey to the West”, the Tang dynasty monk Tang Suanzang and his disciples travelled to the West to collect Buddhist scriptures. Because of this high-profile journey that many people were aware of, it generated a lot of interest, especially among the demons, witches and animal spirits they met on the way. They believed that eating Tang monk’s flesh would give them longevity. The journey became even more dangerous. This led the monkey Sun Wukong to make this famous statement: “Big tree attracts strong wind that will uproot it. Fame invites hostile attention that can destroy oneself.”
People who have achieved great success in their lives usually find it difficult to escape high-profile exposure. Whether in wealth, fame, or power, they are big trees and can attract strong wind. The wealthy are fearful of theft and robbery. The famous are very wary of negative criticism and gossip, fabricated skeletons that may tarnish their public image and popularity. Those with power are concerned about challenges from a rivalry that may compromise their authority.
Others enjoy living in a high-profile environment, intentionally attracting attention to themselves. These people like to boast and show off what they have to impress others, talking a lot to show they know almost everything. They use this high-profile behaviour to project a superior image, respected by others. But the strong wind these trees receive is usually negative. Too often, their behaviour offends and irritates others, losing their respect and trust. They will distance themselves from him.
Deep in the jungle lives a beautiful peacock with white shining tail feathers. He can dance very gracefully and sing with a romantic, soothing voice. Many animals come to watch his dancing and enjoy his singing every day. He becomes very popular, which makes him proud, and he has an inflated ego. This tree has become a big, tall tree. Many other animals are very jealous of him and start spreading the word that this peacock has some super magical power. Whoever eats his meat can acquire this power. The lion heard this news and said to himself: “I am the king of the jungle. If this is a magical power, surely I am the one who deserves to have it.” He goes out to where the peacock lives, and there, the bird is performing his dancing. Before he knows what is happening, the lion already has him firmly in his mouth! The tree has fallen.
There is nothing wrong with having wealth, fame, and power. But living your lifestyle in a humble and low-profile manner will help keep the strong wind of jealousy, greed, and hatred away. Be humble and treat others as equals, even if they are not as fortunate as you are. The wind you attract will be gentle, breezy, and peaceful.
The Master said: “Be a bamboo and not an oak tree. Both attract the wind, but the bamboo is flexible and passive and bends in the wind. It does not break. The oak tree, large and rigid, falls easily.
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.
