an old writer and his words

  • THUMB

    She asks me howI can be so goodat growing plantswhen she hasno luck at all with them. I pause, as if thinking,try and hide the inwardsmile, and respondI just put themin the ground.I don’t tell herthat I also hopethat the rains will comeoften enoughto keep them alive. And I certainlydo not tell her thatwhen they…

    Lou Faber

  • HOGAN’S HAIR’S-BREADTH

    What is it you are looking for,what you expect to findand how will you knowif you find it? You expected your teacherto present it to you? What would you do with itif you did receive it? You must first see that youare both the searcherand the teacher andyou already havewhat you are searching for,for you…

    Lou Faber

  • KYOZAN PLANTS HIS MATTOCK

    In your endless searchfor enlightenment,the best course, the only courseis to stop looking. It may strike you,unexpected or it mayarise without your seeingas you continue your practice. You say there are many Buddhasand you are correct, but I saythere is but one Buddha and Iam also correct, and you arethat one Buddha and I amthat…

    Lou Faber

  • BLINDNESS

    Our problem is one of blindness.We are constantly seekingfor that which we have, thatwhich have no need of, thatwhich we think we needbut cannot be certain. If we limited our blindnessto things life would besimpler, but our blindnesscarries over to our searchfor enlightenment, for redemption,for absolution, and wefail to realize that we haveall of that…

    Lou Faber

  • FOUR ZEN HAIKU

    myself is no selfno self is universalinfinite being emptiness surroundsall forms are illusorythis is samadhi compassion aboundsalways out of your sightuntil you live it dharmas teach nothingcontain infinite knowledgejust stop looking

    Lou Faber

  • SEPPO SEES HIS NATURE 鐵笛倒吹 三十四

    Do not imagine yourselfShravaka or Boddhisatvanor ask the Masterif his reflection isthe fullest moon or bright sun. Both stick and slapawaken youand clear your sight. The Master’s eyesare blind to youand your reflectioncan only be seenby looking within. A reflection on case 34 of the Iron Flute Koans.

    Lou Faber

  • THIS VERY MIND 無門關 三十

    You are forever seekingthe path, as thoughit will give you a sign. Seeking the Buddha is goodbut looking for himis ultimate futilityfor the eyes are incapableof looking within. A reflection on case 30 of the Mumonkan (the Gateless Gate Koans)

    Lou Faber

  • ON THE ROAD TO NIRVANA

    S: What are you doing, for heaven sake? H: Isn’t it obvious, I’m searching      for Nirvana, for enlightenment. S: You silly fool, it’s right behind you! H: (turning suddenly) It is not,      I would certainly see it. S: You might think so, but      it is still right behind you!…

    Lou Faber

  • WHO?

    I was looking for you, he said, and I was looking for myself she replied, and here we are and neither of us has succeeded in our quest, for I have not found myself, so you cannot find me. I shall stop looking for you, he said and perhaps you will appear. for I am…

    Lou Faber

  • WHO WILL BE KING?

    Tell me what you see, he says, and be as precise as possible. I suppose I see exactly what you see, we are looking at the same thing, at the same time, so how can it be any different for me then you? Are you seeing through my eyes? He smiles, for if so, I’d…

    Lou Faber