Keep Knocking

In Zen, when a novice shows up at the monastery for training he/she is refused entrance for up to a week. Each day they knock and each day they are rudely refused entry. When they are finally invited in they are put into guest quarters for a few more days to sit in meditation. All of this is to test their resolve for Zen training. It requires patience, fortitude, and unflinching commitment. I often think about the times I have wanted to enter into something I really wanted. Each time I wanted it NOW! What I discovered is that the things that come easy fade just as easily. It is the things that we have to work hard for, the things that are at first refused us that stick. What is it you have been refused that you wanted? Were you able to sit outside the door and knock and wait and knock and wait? What are your knocking at the door for these days? Can you sit in silence and patience? If not, then are you knocking at the right door?