Monday, March 15, 2010

The Eleventh Picture

Let's not cross alone to the other shore (though we must).
Leave bread crumbs so that the smallest mouse can follow you.
Be not inscrutable, clever and "wise."
Be plain, straight forward and simple.

It takes great effort to realize there is no place to go.
Never forget this when asked a question.
To much talk of moons and fingers could earn you "the finger", and well deserved.
No, you can't get them there in a single sentence.
But you don't need to protect your secret with special language and incantations.

Remember where you started, and what a great mystery the gateless gate can be.
Like the hand of charity reaching for the pillow at night
Swoop in with exactly the right thing to say for the need at hand.
When a pillow is needed, don't offer a book.

There should be an 11 ox herding picture.
It should show old Hotei sitting fat and happy in the market place, drinking from his gourd
Telling stories to all the common people
Stories that get them all a half step closer to wondering where the ox might be.