ZEN STORY

One day a farmer’s horse ran away. That evening his neighbors gathered around to commiserate with the farmer over such bad luck. The farmer said, “May be.” The next day the horse returned, followed by six wild horses. The neighbors couldn’t believe the farmer’s sudden good luck. The farmer said, “May be.” The next day, while trying to ride one of the wild horses, the farmer’s son was thrown and broke his leg. The neighbors again commiserated over the farmer’s bad luck, but all he said was, “May be.” The day after that, army officers came through the village conscripting the oldest sons, but the farmer’s son was rejected because of his broken leg. When the neighbors came to say how fortunate everything turned out, the farmer said, “May be.”

Shunryu Suzuki

We practice zazen like someone close to dying. There is nothing to rely on, nothing to depend on. Because you are dying, you don't want anything, so you cannot be fooled by anything.

Most people are not only fooled by something, they are also fooled by themselves, by their ability, their beauty, their confidence, or their outlook. We should know whether or not we are fooling ourselves. When you are fooled by something else, the damage will not be so big, but when you are fooled by yourself, it is fatal.

pg 98 of the book titled "not always so - practicing the true spirit of Zen"

Confucius

The great man is sparing in words but prodigal in deeds.

Shunryu Suzuki

No trace: When you do something, you should burn yourself completely, like a good bonfire, leaving no trace of yourself.

Tao te Ching

A good traveler leaves no track.

Takuan

The mind should be nowhere in particular.

Chinese proverb

Guessing is cheap; guessing wrong is expensive.