an old writer and his words

  • UMMON’S WHITE AND BLACK

    If you come upon a masterand he says “give me your answer,”how do you respond?You cannot say to himthat he has not asked a questionfor that would be an answerto a question you sayhas not been given.Better you should bow to himand sit silently before him. A reflection on Case 40 of the Book of…

    Lou Faber

  • NEXT UP

    Back in the day,that day being the last timeI attended an open mic,odd since most are intimate enoughthat no microphone is provided,I stood at the lecternand looked carefully at the audiencethat was mine for the next few minutes.I wanted to see their responseto me, my clothing choicesand then my words, trying to readthe indecipherable map…

    Lou Faber

  • ACTION

    The question is, he saidwhat we intend to do about itwhen it happens, as it inevitably will. He got no response, had notexpected any response despitethe critical nature of the question. He knew no one wantedto talk about it, nor even to thinkabout its onrushing consequences. But it was the world that hewould inherit from…

    Lou Faber

  • WHEN

    When the expected finally happensyou may feign surprise, or evenmild anger or some disquiet,but all will know it is only an act. When the expected doesn’t happenyou may be truly surprised,of even angry and frustrated,and all will understand at some level. When the unexpected happensthe full range of emotions is thenlaid open before you and…

    Lou Faber

  • MIRROR MIRROR

    The person I see each morninglooks vaguely familiar, perhapssomeone I once met in passing,or maybe a distant relative.But he was so much olderso he was difficult to place. I do say hello each morningbut get only a nod, a gesturein response, as if the personis mute, for he smiles backso it is not a silence…

    Lou Faber

  • 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.

    Lou Faber

  • SANSHO’S GOLDEN FISH 正法眼蔵 語十二

    Ask a question,if you get no responseis the question goodor is it foolish,is the teacher fooled,or simply too busy to answer.Be careful or youwill be trappeddeep within the net. A reflection on Case 52 of the Shobogenzo (Dogen’s True Dharma Eye)

    Lou Faber

  • Joshu Sees the Hermits 無門關 十一

    Joshu’s single question asked twice the same two answers, two raised fists each time the same Joshu responds to each fist each response different each the same a single light both seen and unseen both blessed curse and cursed blessing. A reflection on Case 11 of the Mumonkan (Gateless Gate)

    Lou Faber