How to Tell If You Habitually Make Decisions That Sabotage You (Lessons I Learned from a Taoist Master)

“If you are faced with a choice between this or that, how many choices do you have?” the Master asked.

I knew it was a trick question. Every question he asks is a trick question. Mahayana and Zen Buddhists would call them Zen Koans or Riddles.

“Three!” I guessed out of my ass.

“Four.” the Master said without appearing to have heard my answer at all.

“If you are faced with the choice of a sports car or an economy car, thinking you only have those two options, you choose the sports car. Every time you drive the sports car, you will feel guilty.”

The Master Continued, “If you had chosen the economy car, every time you drive it, you feel frustrated.”

I was dumbfounded.

“Buy both, this is your third choice,” the Master said.

I was as puzzled as I was enlightened. I immediately realized that so many of my life decisions were destined to bring me guilt or frustration from the moment I made a choice. But before I could take the first step down memory lane, the Master hit me with another revelation.

“If you are faced with the choice of a Susan or Sara, thinking those are your only options, you choose Susan. Every moment you are with Susan, you miss Sara. Every discomfort Susan brings you, you resent her. You have already lost Susan and Sara from the moment you made your choice.

In this case, use your fourth option. Choose neither. When true love comes, you will have no choice.”

This wisdom comes from Facebook Tao of Life Page (click “Like” for the ongoing weekly series)

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