an old writer and his words

  • SEPPO’S “WHAT’S THIS?”

    If you standat the feet of a masterwill you ask himto express all of zenin a single word?If he is silent, thatis all you need to know,your question answered. A reflection on Case 50 of The Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • TOZAN OFFERS TO THE ESSENCE

    When you sitbefore the teacherand ask him to explainthe meaning of the dharmawhat do you expecthe will say to you.If he answers youwhat did you learn?If he remains silentwhat did you learn?Is there any difference? A reflection on Case 49 of The Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • THE KEY

    “The key,” he said, “is to imbueyour work with poetic energy.”Those of us still botheringto pay attention at allto that empty husk of a oncewell-regarded, honored poethad no freaking idea whatthe hell he was talking aboutand we guessed he didn’t either.He was an easy A English courseand a few of us imagined ourselvesas successful writers,…

    Lou Faber

  • OBAKU’S DREGS

    Why do you roamfrom teacher to teacherseeking the directionto the path of enlightenment.The teachers have no mapsto share with you, no shortcuts,no coupons for kensho.But a good teacherwill tell you that you arealready on the path you seekand leave you in silenceto follow it. A reflection on Case 53 of The Book of Equanimity (従容錄,…

    Lou Faber

  • HOGEN’S BY BOAT OR LAND

    When the teacher asks youwhy you came to see himwhat will you answer?If you ask him a questionhe will sit silentlywaiting for you to answer.If you simply nodand bow he will smileand you may leave fulfilled. A reflection on Case 51 of The Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • NOT THAT

    A writing teacher I admireonce told me that my truecreative self would only beunleashed if I stoppedwriting about what I knewand began writingabout what I didn’t know.I knew what he meantbut I can be a literal soulall too often, with yearsof practicing law and inthat state of mind I knewI was doomed to failurefor if…

    Lou Faber

  • RAKUHO’S LAST MOMENTS

    If you sit before the teacherand he asks you “how isyour practice, good or not”how do you answer?If you say your practiceis good, your teacherwill call you a liar.If you say your practiceis not good, your teacherwill tell you to practice. A reflection on Case 41 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber

  • JOSHU’S BOWL-WASHING

    When you sit before your teacherhe may ask you a simple question,why, perhaps, your robeis not tied, why, perhaps,your posture is slumping.If you sit and answer,he will dismiss you, butif you stand and tie your robe,sit down in a good posturehe will give you gasshoand send you on your path. A reflection on Case 39…

    Lou Faber

  • RINZAI’S TRUE MAN

    If I ask youwho you are, howwill you answer?If you give me your name,that is not the answerfor your name is a wordand you are not a word.If you tell me whatyou have done, thatis not the answer,for those are actions.If you sit silentlyon the cushionthat is the answer. A reflection on Case 38 of…

    Lou Faber

  • SANSHO’S GOLDEN CARP

    When you sitbefore your teacherif you ask him a questionhe will return only silence.If you listento his silence closelythe dharmawill be revealed to you.A large stonethat rolls easilymay not be lifted. A reflection on Case 33 of the Book of Equanimity (従容錄, Shōyōroku)

    Lou Faber