Whipped Cream Difficulties

I’m fascinated by Zen.

I don’t practice it. I’ve thought about it, but

1. I’m not sure how I would reconcile that with my other beliefs.
2. I have problems with some aspects of Zen thought. For example, there’s a precept, “If you pick up a stone, you must be prepared to pick up all the suffering of the world.” What does that mean? Should we not try to help other people, lest we become responsible for their suffering? I’ll tell you truthfully, there are times when that appeals to me, but in the end, I can’t just stand back and not pick up the stone. Even when I suspect it would be better for everyone involved if I left it on the ground.

That said, I love reading about Zen. I’ve particularly enjoyed Shoes Outside the Door, a warts and all history of the San Francisco Zen Center, and Street Zen: The Life and Work of Issan Dorsey. Dorsey in particular is a fascinating character to me; if I were to take up Zen, I’d like to be like him (without the homosexuality and drug use, though).

I’ve got a bookmark on my system to Brad Warner’s wonderful “Zen Books That Don’t Suck” page, and will probably check a few more of those off the list as I find them. I’ve got to like a guy who not only practices Zen, but is a fan of monster movies and Ghoulardi.

Anyway, Warner also has a blog, and I wanted to highlight this post in particular (scroll down below the schedule information for the meat). I don’t know why, but there’s something about Warner’s response, and the way he phrases it, that I find deeply moving.

Peace has to be defended by people who are trained to kill those who would destroy it. I’m sorry. But that’s the way things are.

I wish this was not true. And I can wish all I want but that won’t make it so.

“I can wish all I want but that won’t make it so” reminds me of a ha-ha only serious joke I’ve used from time to time in business settings:

Q: How many legs does a dog have, if you call a tail a leg?

A: Four. Calling a tail a leg doesn’t make it one.