An Empty Boat
There’s a Zen story in which a man is enjoying himself on a river at dusk. He sees another boat coming down the river toward him. At first it seems so nice to him that someone else is also enjoying the river on a nice summer evening. Then he realizes that the boat is coming right toward him, faster and faster. He begins to get upset and starts to yell, “Hey, hey watch out! For Pete’s sake, turn aside!” But the boat just comes faster and faster, right toward him. By this time he’s standing up in his boat, screaming and shaking his fist, and then the boat smashes right into him. He sees that it’s an empty boat.
This is the classic story of our whole life situation.
--Pema Chödrön, Start Where You Are; from Everyday Mind, edited by Jean Smith, a Tricycle book
I have enjoyed two beautiful solstice celebrations and will enjoy another next Tuesday. I feel the productivity of this time of year. We savored our first corn of summer last night. Yum! Blueberries are prolific. Another yum. Though many I know are dealing with troubles, this poem is sent to me today as comfort and support.
The Way It Is
There’s a thread you follow. It goes among
things that change. But it doesn’t change.
People wonder about what you are pursuing.
You have to explain about the thread.
But it is hard for others to see.
While you hold it you can’t get lost.
Tragedies happen; people get hurt
or die; and you suffer and get old.
Nothing you do can stop time’s unfolding.
You don’t ever let go of the thread.
~ William Stafford ~
(The Way It Is)