It is the Quality of Meditation, Not the Quantity

An old woman, who is very strict, tough and angry practices her meditations according to her beliefs three times a day one hour each time. She strikes her drum and rings her chimes and chants her prayers. She does not miss a meditation for ten years. Throughout this time she remains tough and angry.

One day a young man comes by her gate while she is meditating. He calls her name, but she does not respond. He continues to call her name. Her anger becomes more and more intense. She struggles against the young man calling her name wondering if she should stop meditating and go out and give the young man a good piece of her mind.

She continues her chant and the young man continues to call her name. The Fire is mounting in her. Finally, she threw away the drum and chimes, slammed out the door and out to the gate where the young man was. Why do you behave like that! Why do you keep calling my name. The young man smiles and says I have been calling your name for just ten minutes. Have you not been calling His name now for ten thousand hours. Think then how angry He must be by now