Poems

Sesshin ends

Participants lament

“Back to reality!”

“But where is the duality?”

Meditation retreat ends

Participants begin to lament

The student says, “Back to reality!”

The teacher replies, “Where is the duality?”

New York City sounds:

“Clang!” the radiator clangs.

Who’s the observer?

Hakuin talks ice.

The ice sits among water,

It melts and knows not.

Melted, it expects hindrance,

But the hindrances have left.

Hakuin talks ice.

The ice sits still, and it melts.

Hindrances have left.

Hakuin talks ice.

The ice melts, and it knows not.

Hindrances have left.

Seeing, I am being

Seeing, I am being free

Seeing, I am free

Free from illusions,

Free from delusions.

Free being at last,

Free ever since the beginning.