A Kung Fu Meditation Poem

Agitation from within
robs one of reflection
and clarity of vision.
In this state of mind,
it is of course impossible
to act with presence of mind.
The right thing, then,
is to keep still
until balance is regained.

One can only do this, however,
when he himself
is not affected by the turbulence,
although its disastrous effects are already visible in those around him.
If he withdraws in time,
he remains free of error.

 But his friends,
who no longer pay attention
to warning, will,
in their excitement,
certainly be displeased with him.

However,
he must not take this into account.

From “Kung Fu Meditations” Helen Kei Hua