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Chu Gives Three Calls 無門關 十七
Three times the master’s question three times the student’s response each time, the same answer each time the master shrinks as answer surpasses question. There is no master there is no student there is only the lamp in two sets of hands. A reflection on case 11 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate) koans.
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TECHNICAL SERVICE
At some point in each callto a customer service representative,or worse still technical assistancewhich is a painful oxymoronin and of itself, I pause and wonderhow the conversation might goif I could reach throughthe ether of the phoneand grab the script.Would the voice on the other endsuddenly become attachedto a person, rippedfrom its computer home?Would that…
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BEGGAR’S TALE
I speak clearly, conciselyin an ancient, long forgottentongue that none understand. I tell my tale, leaving outnothing, a summonerin a deaf world, whispering of coins, pulled froman empty pocket and castat your feet, soundless. I point to signs, letteredin my careful hand, withoutmeaning, cryptic to you You urge me to trustin your god even asyou…
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I HAVE NEVER BEEN
six foot four with a full headof longish brown hair neatly cut five foot ten as the Air Forceclaimed although I neverconformed to their assumption sitting on the deck of a yachttrying to decide if it wassufficiently large enoughto meet my desires sitting on a beach in Hawaiimy oceanside villamere steps away,the housekeeper beckoningwith a…
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FOUND POEM
Each morning, beforeI finish my morning cappuccino,I scan my email, hoping to finda perfect poem that hasgone forever unclaimed. I have enough skillto alter it sufficientlythat I can safely claim itas my own, if the ownerever were to appear,by adding, After XXXXX. All I have ever foundis the odd limerick andfrankly I can to betteron…
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SOZAN’S FALLING AND RISING 正法眼蔵 三十三
When you fallearth on one sidesky the other.When you rise,earth on one sidesky the other.When there is no falling,no sky, no earth,when there is no risingno earth, no sky.Sky and earthdo not stand still. A reflection on Case 33 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye) Koans
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OF THE SEASONS
In the heart of winter, then,which seemed unendingI would stare out at the maplesbarren branches piledin ever tottering snowand dream of palm treesand a warm ocean breeze. In heart of winter now,such as it is, all I seeare endless palms andmany Southern Live Oaks,their branches piledunder a heavy burdenof sagging Spanish Mossand I dream of…
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KEEPING TO THE SCHEDULE
The cat has had a busy day,supervising all mannerof domestic affairs, allthe while offeringa running commentaryon our successesand failures in the useand maintenanceof her home. She did take timefor several pettingsand brushings, necessaryshe says, to keep ourjoints lubricated as weget down to the flooror flex our wrists. She reminded usit was timeto feed her, thenwalked…
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THE OFFICE
Step into a hotel elevatorand you will see the sign“Elevator certificate is locatedIn the General Manager’s Office.” If Einstein were to come backto life and see this, would heinquire as to where he could findthe Special Manager’s Office? And George S. Patton wouldno doubt bellow out a demandthat the Corporal Managerstand front and center. But…
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HELL DONE OVER
My ultimate goal, never to be achievedis to redesign hell and all of its circlesto better reflect the world we live in now. Of course I’d need two circles forpoliticians, one for each major party,and independents get to choose. Catholic priests, minister and rabbiswho abused members of their flocksget a circle of their own with…
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an old writer and his words 