an old writer and his words

  • SOLITUDE

    We are often blessed with solitudeyet we consider it a curse,for being alone can be difficult,more so when it is with yourself.The cacophony of the mindhas no off switch, and the outersilence is like a volume knobturned slowly to maximum.It can be bearable, but thereis always a lingering fearthat it may have no end point,that…

    Lou Faber

  • YOU ARE HERE

    You find yourself nowhere, and notin the middle of it but on the peripherywaiting for an exit, unsure howyou arrived here or why you stayed.This could be a wonderland but there isno rabbit hole, and the cat curled in sleeplying at your feet has never been to Chesireand says she has no desire to ever…

    Lou Faber

  • CALLING

    As I age, I more willingly accedeto the sirens call of sleepfor as night washes over mepulling up its blanket of starsshe takes me on a voyageto destinations she willnot disclose until our arrival.The journey may be pleasantor the seas of night can beroiling, but her grip is firm.But in her never certain worldage can…

    Lou Faber

  • EN ROUTE

    We spend so much of our livesimagining we are en route,always on the way to somewhereif often not certain where thatsomewhere might be. It seems we intensely dislikenot being in motion, not focusedon the future, the destination,never wanting to be, seemingto dread being static. Yet the irony is that we,at any given moment, arenever en…

    Lou Faber

  • ONLY A BUDDHA AND A BUDDHA

    We walk forwardto try and seewhere we are going,always wantingbut never seeingwhere we have been.Is it better towalk backwardseeing clearlywhere we will not gowithout ideaof a destination.Look down and decide. A reflection on Case 92 of Dogen’s Shobogenzo Koans (True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • THERE

    She walks with a deliberateness that bespeaks years of always knowing what the destination is. Getting to the destination, she knows is far less important than having one. On occasion she would arrive at her destination and would then have no option but to immediately select her next destination, for being on one place too…

    Lou Faber

  • TEACHING AND NOT TEACHING

    We walk forwards to try to see where we are going, always wanting but never seeing where we have been. Is it better to walk backward seeing clearly where we will not go without idea of a destination. Look down and decide. A reflection on Case 92 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye)  

    Lou Faber

  • COMPASSION

    Kannon, have compassion for us, as if you could do otherwise. We don’t seek wisdom, that’s out of your department. We all seek enlightenment as if it is some neon sign around the next bend in the path. We are well-suited for rushing to unknown destinations. We would offer you prayers, but we have forgotten…

    Lou Faber