Zen
begin your voyage
follow your inclinations
perceive yourself
awaken to yourself
train yourself
be yourself
overcome yourself
be at one with life
illumination
live your life
beginning or end
from void to void
a circle
from nothing to nothing – that is the way of Zen
emptiness
in infinite space and time
non-duality
even as the dawn comes
so does the dusk
from the void
there came a silent big bang
which no one heard
that spring was barren
of cherry blossoms
pure
like the first energy
devoid of want
Buddha walked
among the creatures – wanting
discovering void
he defeated death and pain
living in the here and now
this circle
that never begins
never ends
© G.s.k. ‘15
Today’s Feature on Carpe Diem Haiku Kai speaks of the Circle of Life or the Wheel of Creation … a very very vast topic … I chose to share some Zen which put simply is a melange of Taoism and Buddhism – and was born in the roots of Hindu beliefs.
I usually don’t contemplate where everything began and I rarely worry about the infinite – in my opinion, there is so much to do in the here and now that there is no sense worrying about things that no human mind can ever really understand. However, many pass their lives trying to understand the Big Bang and how the Universe was created and how it works … and that’s fine. If nothing else, perhaps knowing the vastness of the creation in comparison to the smallness of what we are will teach humanity a little humility and help us live life on this planet as a part of the whole and not think we are the masters and the reason for creation.
The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the beginning of heaven and Earth.
The named is the mother of the ten thousand things.
Ever desire-less, one can see the mystery.
Ever desiring, one sees the manifestations.
These two spring from the same source but differ in name; this appears as darkness.
Darkness within darkness.
The gate to all mystery.
Lao Tzu
Tao Te Ching
This is huge, Bastet — wow. I am in awe 🙂
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I got carried away I’m afraid … it started out to be just the tiny:
beginning or end
from void to void
a circle
Then looking to the Zen calligraphy I found the Ox story (one of my favourites) … and then …. well you get the gist.
Hope you’re doing well … I left you yesterday in the throws of a cold ..
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Hi there 🙂
Kind of struggling today — still no better, sadly.
The Ox story was really interesting – so I bookmarked it for later because it needs a second read to absorb it all 🙂
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It’s an ancient thing … and I’ve been going back to it for years, so I can understand you wanting to go back to it. Sorry you’re struggling. I imagined that you wouldn’t have miraculously gotten over the cold. When i lived in Djibouti (hottest city in the world) I got a cold once and took a cachet called Antigrippine Forte by Le Roche .. that thing knocked the cold to kingdom come … but I think they took it off the market at least I haven’t seen it here in Italy.
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Im so pleased you got carried away and just went with the flow of your muse, cara. beautiful and wise words!
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Thanks dear! I usually prefer to just write the ku and maybe add a small nod to the creator of the prompt .. I’m glad I didn’t bore you with all the info! 🙂
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Reblogged this on Traces of the Soul and commented:
Humble words of wisdom penned with eloquence.
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Thanks so much Cher for your reblog … very kind indeed! 🙂
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That’s because you did not bore me with the info:)
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Thanks dear, you’re fantastic! 🙂
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Really awesome – you mentioned you “got carried away”? LOL – no worries – because the entire piece just flows and runs so well – truly building within and without – like a stream trickling into a rush – but soothingly calm.
the entire piece is musical – great orchestration and conducting!
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Glad you enjoyed the post … and yes, I did get a bit carried away … it is a vast subject to write about and one of my favourite besides 🙂 I’m very happy you enjoyed the post and I love your comments!
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