Work – Don’t’ aim reward

A young but earnest Zen student approached his teacher, and asked the Zen Master; “If I work very hard and diligently how long will it take for me to become a Zen Master?”
 
The Master thought about this, then replied “ Ten Years”
 
The student then said, “But what if I work very, very hard and really apply
myself to learn fast – How long then?”
 
Replied Master, “Well, twenty years”
 
“But if I really, really work at it. How long then? Asked the student.
 
“Thirty years” replied the Master
 
But I do not understand, at each time that I say I will work Harder, you say
it will take me longer. Why do you say that?”
 
Replied the Master “ When you have one eye on the reward, you only have one eye on the path”
 
Reflection : Travel sincerely along the Path, and the reward will take care of itself.
 
--- “You have a right to do your duty, but no right to the fruits of your actions. Never consider yourself the course of these, and never think of not doing your duty…..Bhagwad Gita”