shadow – Zen Fools

Q255. Student: “How can I distinguish the true-self from an illusion?”

A. Master: “What you think is the true-self is an illusion and what you think is an illusion is the true-self.”

Commentary:

Both the true-self and an illusion are illusions.

It is the true-self that tries to distinguish the true-self from an illusion.

©Boo Ahm

All writing ©Boo Ahm. All images ©Simon Hathaway

A. Student: “What is pure mind?”

Master: “Rotten shit.”

Student: “What is dirty mind?”

Master: “Beautiful flowers.”

Commentary:

Don’t aim at the shadow on the ground of a game bird when it has flown away high in the sky.