Secret Sorrow

September 5, 2009 Will Simpson

"Secret Sorrow", number 150 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

A secret sorrow of unrequited love. The tragedy of a love that might have been.

How does one talk compassionately about this. On the one hand, reality is just what it is. One the other hand, cultural norms are fixed and rigid. Circumstances sometimes conspire to separate people who might otherwise have connected.

Sometimes we have a sense of this missed connection. Sometimes not.

Some people are prone to postulating in this way. Some are not.

How different reality would be if reality was different. This is a "Duhism". Sure we can want things to be different than they are and we can work hard to correct what we see as injustices in the world but in the end reality is just what it is.

This is often discussed in Zen circles. How to balance the truth of reality and the desire to save all beings. This question is one I still struggle with. I work hard to be less and less self centered in as many of the small ways that I can hoping that one day I'll break out and be less self centered in a big way.

We have come full circle. Right here we have my very own 'secret sorrow'. It surprises me that my longing to find ways to be an activist is so tied up "with the tragedy of love that cannot be requited."

Not the lesson Aitken intended, but the one I got. Hands together in peace, thank you Roshi.

Andrea Gibson
Poet and Brave Activist

Any error or confusion created by my commentary on
Miniatures of a Zen Master
is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.
Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of
Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to
all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.

Secret Sorrow

September 5, 2009 Will Simpson

"Secret Sorrow", number 150 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Andrea Gibson
American Poet and Activist

The Gurgling Magpie

September 4, 2009 Will Simpson

"The Gurgling Magpie", number 150 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Owl Pellet

We have an owl in the neighborhood that has been quite vocal. In the evenings and in the morning she calls like a wounded cat.

At first we thought it might be a Screech Owl because of the its call. Now that we have seen it in the woods and hunting on our neighbors stubble field we think it is a Great Horned Owl. Still with a sad call.

One thing I'm learning is that the naming of things is unimportant. Yet sometimes I can not help myself.

"Take an interest in all crafts that support your writing. To do your best, help others do their best." Roy Peter Clark

This his how Roy Peter Clark from the Poynter Institute starts his podcast "Roy's Writing Tool #46". This advice can be taken up in most every field whether that field is Zen or woodworking.

Finger Bowls

September 3, 2009 Will Simpson

"Finger Bowls", number 149 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Social and cultural customs are funny things. We agree that things should be done in a certain way. Others agree that things should be done in a different way. 'We' and 'Others' develop odd relationships because of this.

Aitken tells us of a meal he remembers as a adolescent where a guest drank from the finger bowls his grandmother used in her formal table place settings.

'We' think 'Others' are beneath us if they drink the water from the finger bowls. The whole idea of a finger bowl is quite odd indeed. A small bowl, filled with water, presented on a special manner on the table. Sure looks like something ceremonial like a sacrament. Aren't 'We' the crazy ones for washing our dirty fingers in the sacrament?

What other area of my life are like this? Culturally or socially blind to reality.

Be Amazing!

The Green Flash

September 1, 2009 Will Simpson

"The Green Flash", number 148 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Life is full of practical jokes and Aitken's grandfather perpetrated one on unsuspecting visitors to his workplace. He worked as a astronomer
at the Lick Observatory. He would tell visitors that the best way to see the green flash of the setting sun was to "turn your back on the sunset and bend over and watch for the flash there between your legs."

What a silly sight that must have been. Whole families lined up all bent over watching the sun set. An astronomer's practical joke. At the same time, those bent over were willing participants, giggling at themselves all along.

Surf the wave of the unknown and be amazed.

The Notch

August 30, 2009 Will Simpson

"The Notch", number 147 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

Today's miniature hinges on the taking up of a traditional craft from a different culture and how some aspects of this transmission are misappropriated. The example used is the one where Korean potters notched the bottoms of their seconds and there apprentices liked this practice so much that they notched even the best of their work.

Speaking of craft and cross cultural messaging, I am interested in the knife making skills of Joel Bukiewicz, a Brooklyn based writer turned knife maker. In the short video below he talks about how some of the best cutlery today comes from Japan. I feel he is too modest and has refined the art of cutlery and added cultural flares that would be sacrilegious in Japan. Namely the colorful handles.

Below is a repost the video from a few days ago and an added second.

The Turnover

August 30, 2009 Will Simpson

"The Turnover", number 146 of 188 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

There was a dramatic turning point in the war with Japan. The Emperor of Japan surrendered and the country started the process of rebuilding.

During this time there were amazing and previously unthinkable events. While Aitken was waiting for his repatriation, the leaders of his group were asked by the Japanese, when building dance halls for the occupation forces, should they build separate ones for officers and enlisted men or not.

This is a complete and utter acceptance of the new situation.

Here is the lesson for all of us zennies. Accept every new situation with the same gusto. And every situation is new, even those that are repeated endlessly.

I found this reproduction of a BBC program about Zen in Japan on youtube. It is in 8 parts but each are short. If you practice zazen, you'll be in for a treat during the last 3 minutes of the program. There is some great footage of old training centers in Japan.

Zen Buddhism: The Land of the Disappearing Buddha, a 1977 BBC Production.