Author Archives: zenhantz

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Attitude and Change

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If you do not change your direction you will end up where you are headed.

The captain of a battleship has just been informed by a lookout that a light has been spied dead ahead through the fog in the distance. The captain orders a signal sent by flashing light. “We are on a collision course, advise you alter course 30 degree port.”

The signal is straight away returned, “Advisable for you to change course 30 degrees starboard.”

The captain ordered his communications officer to send back, “I’m a captain. You had better change course 30 degrees port immediately.”

“I’m a seaman second class,” came the reply. “You had better change course 30 degrees starboard.”

Now extremely irked the captain spit out, “I’m a battleship. Change course 30 degrees port now.”

Back came the flashing light. “I’m a light house.”

Satoru

www.samuraizen.com

Unknown's avatar

Alter your perspective and observe with an objective eye.

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To seek enlightenment we have to give up our vested interest in the judgements we already have and move our faith into the unexplored.

Satoru

www.samuraizen.com

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What is the sound of one hand clapping?

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Perhaps this is the most well known manifestation of the Zen parables. What is the answer?  The question has many answers and interpretations but the root of the expression, like so many Zen questions is to make you think.  One interpretation is that you cannot hear the sound of one clapping because you are not listening carefully and/or that you are focused on what you think the sound of one hand clapping will be. Can the correct answer be…silence?

Satoru

 

Unknown's avatar

The Meaning of Life

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A student asks a master, “Master, what is the meaning of life?”

“Why do people insist that life has a meaning?”

Some questions, especially existential inquiries, are best answered with other questions

since they all channel thoughts down the same path toward enlightenment.

Satoru

Unknown's avatar

Sometimes we take ourselves too seriously.

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When it was my turn I also have a favorite toast,

“Here’s to swimmen with bow legged women.”

The first time I used this toast I surprised everyone as two monks and the master lost control and sprayed the tea from their mouths.  The circle of novices, monks and observers grew quiet and looked from the master to back at me. The air was pregnant with the pause in teaching and conversation. After an eternity of moments my master nodded his head to me in approval. Learning abstruse subjects full of life’s questions can be serious.  But we must also remember to enjoy learning and have fun.

Satoru