an old writer and his words

  • SEPPO’S SANCTITY 鐵笛倒吹 三十七

    You claim to seek sanctity – will you know it if you find it along the way? What if it sneaks up on you when you are lost in reverie, what if it reaches you in a strike of the teacher’s stick, will you jump in fear and frighten it away, or sit with it…

    Lou Faber

  • SANSHU’S BLINDNESS 正法眼蔵 四十

    If you come forward and ask no question the master will give you an answer, but if you approach with a question, the master will strike you with the stick. It is only when your eyes are blinded that you can take up the master’s staff and all is clearly seen.

    Lou Faber

  • NO MIND, NO BUDDHA 無門關 三十三

    Baso knows well only the ox truly understands the yoke but if you offer it the ox will not accept. Why would you seek to become the ox as it would be better to burn the yoke. A reflection on Case 33 of the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate Koans)

    Lou Faber

  • NANSEN’S ORDINARY MIND 無門關 十九

    Why seek the way? Would yo?. Where is the way? You are standing on it Which way does it lead? Ask your feet. A reflection on case 19 of the Mumonkan (The Gateless Gate Koans)

    Lou Faber

  • I’M LOOKING, SHOW YOURSELF

    I’ve been searching for a teacher for such a long time but despite every effort, the goal eludes me They say that when the student is ready the teacher appears, but i know in my heart I am truly ready. I looked in all of the likely and a number of unlikely places, to the…

    Lou Faber

  • EVER SO BRIEFLY (3 HAIKU)

    listen carefully to the sound of the great bell before being struck cat stares at Buddha pigeons flock to ignore him people see nothing there is no city inside the large gate, only Buddha and pigeons

    Lou Faber

  • RISHO’S POEM 鐵笛倒吹 三十語

    Have you been here – who will know? The sun and moon record your journey. What you release gathers joyously around you, what you cling to flies off on the slightest breeze, mountain and cloud enfold each other. Will you join them? A reflection on case 35 of the Iron Flute Koans

    Lou Faber

  • TAISHU’S DREAM 鐵笛倒吹 三十

    In your dream you set out along your path passing countless monks each of who offered gassho. On awakening you asked to be pointed to the Way. Why didn’t you ask the dream monks and why do you assume that was the dream and this is awakening? A reflection on Case 30 of the Iron…

    Lou Faber

  • EATING MEDITATION

    The key to a simple meal is to cook the rice until each grain sits comfortably next to its neighbor without touch or embrace. On this, pour a bit of miso diluted by water of a stream or pulled from deep within the earth. Top it all with finally cut vegetables, carefully strewn as you…

    Lou Faber

  • AROUND

    What they simply cannot understand is what his take as a vinyl disc is a moment in a life, a memory encased, over which a dancing stylus bleeds dreams and a history of time is written on the back of its sleeve. They cannot grasp that music doesn’t fit neatly in your pocket, that your…

    Lou Faber