I'm a Zen Theif!

First written September 20, 2007

So I have this book at school, "Zen Shorts" by Jon J. Muth. Pretty deep stuff for kids if I thought there were such a thing. But let me tell you something...kids are not stupid. They understand a lot for how new to the world they are. But they understand things in an untainted way. If they don't immediately and truly get it right away, they will often recreate this new information in play and wait for things to happen. Like trial and error, if you will. So anyway, back to the book. This book is about a Panda bear named Stillwater and he lives next door to three children. He initially meets all three children together, and then as the book progresses he spends time with each of the children individually. During each said time, Stillwater lapses into stories that encourage the children to reflect on their emotions and their actions. It also made me think.

Author's Note

"Zen is a Japanese word that simply means meditation...The Buddha's method of meditation was to sit very still, yet remain completely alert, allowing first one thought and then another to rise and pass away, holding on to none of them."

I have a really hard time letting things go. It took me over a year to get over my father-in-law's inexcusable behavior towards myself. It has taken me longer than a year to get over other affronts people have made against me over the years. It cuts me to the quick when people I care about act extremely carelessly at very inopportune times with sickening regularity. I have since began my relentless assault to shorten this grudge time frame, but I am by no means perfect.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A Heavy Load: excerpt from 'Zen Shorts' by Jon J. Muth

Two traveling monks reached a town where there was a young woman waiting to step out of her sedan chair. The rains had made deep puddles and she couldn't step across without spoiling her silken robes. She stood there, looking very cross and impatient. She was scolding her attendants. They had nowhere to place the packages they held for her, so they couldn't help her across the puddle.

The younger monk noticed the woman, said nothing, and walked by. The older monk quickly picked her up and put her on his back, transported her across the water, and put her down on the other side. She didn't thank the older monk, she just shoved him out of the way and departed.

As they continued on their way, the young monk was brooding and preoccupied. After several hours, unable to hold his silence, he spoke out. "That woman back there was very selfish and rude, but you picked her up on your back and carried her! Then she didn't even thank you!"

"I set the woman down hours ago," the older monk replied.

"Why are you still carrying her?"

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Indeed, why do I carry this crazy baggage for so long? If I were to keep with the whole 'wise man once said' mentality, I would say "living well is the best revenge", and I indeed live a very lucky and comfortable life. But for years this never seemed enough...I was/am a brooder...although I am less so now. Hanging onto resentment just clouds my existence with poor judgement and karma, if you will. I hope that it is just my inevitable passage into adulthood...an experience of adultolescence that I will refer back to when I am 80, sitting with Bill on our front porch, reminiscing of times past. I can only try harder to let go of these events and people who have brought me down. But as a wise woman, Elenor Roosevelt once said, "No one can make you feel inferior without your permission." It think that goes for all emotions. Damn my weaknesses...damn them I say!

There are two other short stories within "Zen Shorts", and I will now relate one of these...as I believe relating all three might slap me with accusations of plagiarism...and I think you should read this book...the pictures are great and the story in its entirety is just awesomeness incarnate.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Farmer's Luck: excerpt from 'Zen Shorts' by Jon J. Muth

There was once an old farmer who had worked his crops for many years.

One day, his horse ran away. Upon hearing the news, his neighbors came to visit.

"Such bad luck," they said sympathetically.

"Maybe," the farmer replied.

The next morning the horse returned, bringing with it two other wild horses.

"Such good luck!" the neightbors exclaimed.

"Maybe," replied the farmer.

The follwing day, his son tried to ride one of the untamed horses, was thrown off, and broke his leg.

Again, the neighbors came to offer their sympathy on his misfortune.

"Such bad luck," they said.

"Maybe," answered the farmer.

The day after that, military officials came to the village to draft young men into the army to fight in a war. Seeing that the son's leg was broken, they passed him by.

"Such good luck!" cried the neighbors.

"Maybe," said the farmer.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I take this as a sure sign that things do happen for a reason...and that perhaps my perception of good and bad is simply that, my own personal perception. When I'm down, I should lean a bit more towards sadomasichism and try to enjoy it, like a whip-slap across the back from a leather-clad, omnipotent Lord reigning above, controlling my every rise and fall. But then, I am bound by the genes that make me...me. As much as I enjoy feeling sorry for myself...and I truly do enjoy an elaborate pity party in my honor as much as the next gal...I enjoy living life a hell of alot better!

Here's to life; to the ups, the downs, the lefts and the rights, play and hard work, ruffled chips and cheese and cucumbers...all the things that go with all those other things. I'm glad to have made it so far!