Zen Roshi, Lola McDowell Lee, relates the tale of the monk who questions Chuang Tzu. He begins:

Monk: "Much of what you talk about is that which is not of use to us."

Chuang-Tzu: "Most of the earth is no use to you."

Yin and Yang. Two archetypical poles of Nature. Male and female.Yin is quiet, intuitive. Yang is strong, creative, active. We must come to know the other to be in balance.

We constantly swing between Yin and Yang. Aristotle said that we mostly ignore the middle.

What does a house consist of? Walls make it actual. The seemingly non-existent, empty space inside is what makes it useful. Windows and doors let light in. Keep your eyes and ears open. They are our windows and doors.

Like a vessel—its utility is in its emptiness. Existence renders actual. Non-existence renders useful.

The same is true of us, such as our emptiness within.

Lola also asks: Where does the mind go when you sleep?

Lao-Tzu: Non-action is not doing nothing.

Oct 7, 1984