Wisdom sometimes arises in the middle of a conversation.
And if we are mindful, we can see how it affects both the teller and the listener. That’s how I felt in this exchange recently with someone who was halfway around the world from me, but felt like a neighbor sharing a moment over a backyard fence.
(See I’m Okay for original story by mittaipink
Contoveros says: Well I’ll be damned.
Oh, not really. I’m only saying that as a figure of speech. Nothing I got from any book. Just something I feel.
“I’ll be damned,” in, and of itself probably wouldn’t work as well without the first introductory word; “Well . . . I’ll be . . .”
See. Somethings simply go together better than others.
Like throwing out all of the books. Like starting right where you are, because you “are” okay!
One of my favorite quotes is, that if you see the Buddha on the road, “kill him.”
You . . . me . . . all of us . . . can not be like the Buddha. We can’t live his life. We have to live our own. And if we try to be like another person then we are fooling no one but ourselves (Self?)
So, throw out the books, Have a cup of tea. Meditate. And if you can’t reach that state of bliss on the first try, well, who the hell can? I betcha the Buddha had to “practice,” and “practice,” and “practice” until He got it together.
Sounds to me like you are already half way there!
__________michael j_________________
What a surprise to see this name appearing in your post. You have to marry me now. You didn’t know that?
Well, that was the part of the “Inner Peace” poem I left off: “Whosoever shares their love with another through this poem will be tied to michal j forever.”
It’s something like the “laws of attraction” you hear so much of nowadays.
Enjoyed your company. Read you later. (wink!)
michael j
mittaipink Says:HI Michael, That is such a nice reply. What a natural writer you are! And light hearted too.
Sorry, I can’t marry you, I already am. Thanks for the offer anyway:-)
‘throw out the books, Have a cup of tea. Meditate. And if you can’t reach that state of bliss on the first try, well, who the hell can?’
I like that piece of advice so much.
Yes, the Buddha did go through so many years of trying out different schools of thought and practice till he finally found his own Middle path didn’t he?
Even if we don’t kill him , we needn’t kill ourselves trying to be him all over.
Thanks for stopping by!
Thank you! (michael j)
Contoveros 
Hey michael j — just following the link to this from your other post, which had such good comments.
This was fun, and there’s certainly a skillful way to use the koan, “If you see the Buddha on the road, kill him.” LOL! I have also used the koan, “If you see the Buddha on the road, go up and invite him to have a beer with you.” Seriously, not making this up. All depends on “who” or “what” that “Buddha on the road” is to us in our perceptions.
One things for sure; if I ever perchance pass through your way, we will indeed share a beer, and hugs.
Thanks for this great blog,
Steve
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So this is what they call a koan?
Cool. I’m learning something new everyday. I think I’ll have a dark beer at room temperature when we meet the Buddha on the road together, Steve.
michael j
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It will be an “enlightening” meeting, I’m sure!
Hugs,
Steve
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HI Michael,
My turn to say “Well, I’ll be damned”.
the exchange did make feel very good too. Halfway across the world but under the skin, just being human brings us together.
The books are always there, when you feel you need them.
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I understand the sentiment and it’s good to have the tea but I’d keep the books. They are windows into possibility and open us up to new worlds. It’s not the books that are the problem, it’s the reader who reads them without challenging, inquiring, and sharpening the “saw’.
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I understand your comment more today than when I first read it nearly six months ago. Funny how you need the seperation of time to realize a truth.
thanks,
michael j
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