Thoughtless

Though it has no thought of keeping watch, it's not for naught that the scarecrow stands in the grain field.--Dogen

When we have no thought of good or evil we become aware of the true meaning of our lives.

No Bull

It is not the same thing to talk of bulls as to be in the bullring.--Spanish proverb

As Zen Master Suzuki makes clear in Zen Mind, Beginner's Mind, Zen is something to practice and not something to talk about.

Journey of Discovery

"We don't receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us."--Marcel Proust

The Return

If we were not grateful for the gift of life the first time we found ourselves in the Garden of Eden, we will certainly be grateful when we finally return.

                                            We are stardust
                                            Billion year old carbon
                                            We are golden
                                            Caught in the devil's bargain
                                            And we've got to get ourselves back to the garden.
                                                                                                                       --Joni Mitchell

Guiding Light

There is no devil I detest more than fraud. He it was who contrived the fall of man and even now sets his traps for the unwary.

Only the light of Truth can safely guide us back to the Promised Land.

False gods

It is difficult to forget about fame and profit in a society that worships both. Yet pursuing these false gods will never lead us to true happiness.

False Prophet

Annunciation

                                          Don't be dismayed, woman, by my fierce form.

                                          I come from far away, in headlong flight;

                                          Whirlwinds may have ruffled my feathers.

                                          I am an angel, yes, and not a bird of prey;

                                          An angel, but not the one in your paintings

                                          That descended in another age to promise another Lord.

                                          I come to bring you news, but wait until my heaving chest,

                                          The loathing of the void and dark, subside.

                                          Sleeping in you is one who will destroy much sleep.

                                          He's still unformed but soon you'll caress his limbs.

                                          He will have the gift of words, the fascinator's eyes,

                                          Will preach abomination and be believed by all.

                                          Jubilant and wild, singing and bleeding,

                                          They'll follow him in bands, kissing his footprints.

                                          He will carry the lie to the farthest borders.

                                          Evangelize with blasphemy and the gallows
                                          He'll rule in terror, suspect poisons

                                          In spring-water, in the air of high plateaus.

                                          He'll see deceit in the clear eyes of the newborn,

                                          And die unsated by slaughter, leaving behind sown hate.

                                          This is your growing seed. Woman, rejoice.

                                                                                                           --Primo Levi

Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves.--Matthew 7:15