“highest branch of the apple tree, was my favourite place to be, I could see them breaking free”
(Neil Finn)

Just think of the trees:
they let the birds perch and fly,
with no intention to call them when they come
and no longing for their return when they fly away.
If people’s hearts can be like the trees,
they will not be off the Way.

– Langya

When you’re deluded,
every statement is an ulcer;
when you’re enlightened,
every word is wisdom.

– Zhiqu

Be soft in your practice.
Think of the method as a fine silvery stream, not a raging waterfall.
Follow the stream, have faith in its course.
It will go its own way, meandering here, trickling there.
It will find the grooves, the cracks, the crevices.
Just follow it.
Never let it out of your sight.
It will take you.

– Sheng-yen.

In winter,
the seven stars
walk upon a crystal forest

– Soen Nakagawa.

The penetrating brilliance
Of swords
Wielded by followers of the Way
Strikes at the enemy
Lurking deep within
Their own souls and bodies.

– Morihei Ueshiba

I cannot tell if what the world considers ‘happiness’ is happiness or not.

All I know is that when I consider the way they go about attaining it, I see them carried away headlong, grim and obsessed, in the general onrush of the human herd, unable to stop themselves or to change their direction.

All the while they claim to be just on the point of attaining happiness.

– Chuang-tzu.

Eyes blinded by three poisons,
Yet once all ties are cut,
How restful.
Wicker hat donned,
Cane held firm,
How vast the sky!

– Ungo (1583-1659)

Summer at its height
and snow on the rocks!
The death of winter
and the withered tree blossoms!