The Monk and The Mountain

[The Monk and the Mountain] There once was a monastery built at the base of a mountain. One of the young monks would climb the steep mountain paths, sit upon a precipice and meditate as he looked out over the valley and the world spread out below. The view was inspiring and the weekly meditation was one of his favorite things to do.

For years the monk would make his way up the path to the precipice to meditate and take in the world before him. The mountain became his friend. He knew all the trails, the streams and waterfalls, he felt that he could climb to the precipice with his eyes closed. The monk could hear the voice of the mountain in the breeze blowing through the trees and in the gurgling of the water flowing to the valley below.

As the time passed and the monk grew older, the climb to the precipice became more difficult. His knees ached and his lungs burned for air. One day out of frustration, the monk yelled to the mountain. “For years I have been your friend, I have paid you respect, but now your paths are too steep, your peeks too high.” He sat down upon a rock dejected.

Then the mountain spoke to him. “Should I cease to be a mountain because you have grown old? Should I lay flat my peeks and smooth out my paths to make your stroll easier? When you reach the precipice, is not the reward the same, the view still magnificent? I was here before you and will be here when you are gone. It is not the job of the mountain to make the climb easier, it is the job of the climber to put in the effort. I am a mountain, the same mountain for the young as I am for the old. The same mountain for the strong as for the weak. It is for you to decide whether the reward of the climb is worth the effort. Whether you climb or do not climb, I remain unchanged.”

The monk, shamed by the truth spoken by the mountain, stood up and took one more step up the path.

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Professor Paul Markel

Founder & CEO at Student of the Gun

Paul G. Markel has worn many hats during his lifetime. He has been a U.S. Marine, Police Officer, Professional Bodyguard, and Small Arms and Tactics Instructor. Mr. Markel has been writing professionally for law enforcement and firearms periodicals for nearly twenty years with hundreds and hundreds of articles in print. Paul is a regular guest on nationally syndicated radio talk shows and subject matter expert in firearms training and use of force. Mr. Markel has been teaching safe and effective firearms handling to students young and old for decades and has worked actively with the 4-H Shooting Sports program. Paul holds numerous instructor certifications in multiple disciplines and a Bachelor’s degree in conflict resolution; nonetheless, he is and will remain a dedicated Student of the Gun.