Herding the Ox

<body topmargin=0 leftmargin=0 marginheight=0 marginwidth=0> <table cellpadding=0 cellspacing=0 border=0><tr> <td valign="top" height=80 style=" border-bottom: 1px solid #999980;" BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="05c8dfe1esnpes.jpg"> <div> <B>Emoyeni Retreat Centre</B></div> <div> <A HREF="inspiration.htm" TARGET="_top" TITLE="Inspiration"><B>Back</B></A></div> <div> <B><IMG SRC="2f484070.png" border=0 width="900" height="7" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></B></div> <div> </div> </td> </tr><tr> <td valign="top" height=400 BGCOLOR="#CCCC99" TEXT="#080000" bgproperties="fixed" background="05c8dfc3.jpg"> <div> <I><B>Herding the Ox</B></I></div> <div>  </div> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="10" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="508" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP HEIGHT= 156 WIDTH="480"><div> The enlightenment for which Zen aims, for which Zen exists, comes of itself. As consciousness, one moment it does not exist, the next it does. But physical man walks in the element of time even as he walks in mud, dragging his feet and his true nature.</div> <bR> <div> So even Zen must compromise and recognize progressive steps of awareness leading closer to the ever instant of enlightenment.</div> <DIV ALIGN="LEFT"></DIV> <div> <I>Paul Reps - Zen Flesh, Zen Bones</I></div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> <div> <TABLE BORDER="2" CELLPADDING="2" CELLSPACING="1" WIDTH="667" BORDERCOLORLIGHT="#C0C0C0" BORDERCOLORDARK="#808080" FRAME="BOX" RULES="ALL" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0" > <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000099 HEIGHT= 323 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1a22c390.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="313" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> SEARCHING FOR THE OX</div> <bR> <div> Wild and unruly,</div> <div> the ox roams here and there:</div> <div> seeking pleasure, avoiding pain.</div> <bR> <div> Weary of being led around blindly,</div> <div> the boy makes a firm resolution:</div> <div> to catch the ox, tame it,</div> <div> and ride it home. </div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000099 HEIGHT= 323 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1ae2c390.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="313" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> FINDING TRACKS</div> <bR> <div> Walking the path </div> <div> and paying close attention,</div> <div> the boy finds the first traces of the ox.</div> <bR> <div> With fresh resolve</div> <div> and firm intention,</div> <div> he knows which direction to go.</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000099 HEIGHT= 323 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1b02c390.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="313" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> FIRST GLIMPSE</div> <bR> <div> The elusive ox is sighted !</div> <bR> <div> In a moment of clear awareness</div> <div> the boy fleetingly sees into the nature</div> <div> of his untrained mind.</div> <bR> <div> But the wily ox </div> <div> of unconscious motivations</div> <div> and old habits</div> <div> still runs wherever it wants.</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000099 HEIGHT= 323 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1b22c390.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="313" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> CATCHING THE OX</div> <bR> <div> The ox is finally caught</div> <div> but puts up a fierce struggle.</div> <div> Its powerful nature is not easily changed.</div> <bR> <div> Holding tight onto the rope</div> <div> with firm determination </div> <div> and sustained effort,</div> <div> the boy must turn the ox </div> <div> in a new direction.</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000099 HEIGHT= 323 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1b42c390.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="313" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> LEADING THE OX</div> <bR> <div> Having won the struggle,</div> <div> the boy now leads the way.</div> <div> But he must keep a firm hold on the tether.</div> <bR> <div> The new mode of being</div> <div> based on understanding and insight</div> <div> is still tender and not yet secured:</div> <div> reverting to previous habits</div> <div> and attitudes can easily occur</div> <div> and must be guarded against.</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000099 HEIGHT= 323 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1b62c390.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="313" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="332"><div> RIDING THE OX</div> <bR> <div> Following the stormy process of transformation, comes a time</div> <div> of unity and harmony.</div> <bR> <div> The power of the ox has been integrated</div> <div> and the long silenced inner voice</div> <div> finds joyful expression</div> <div> as the pair continues</div> <div> on their Way.</div> <bR> <bR> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000099 HEIGHT= 323 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1b82c390.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="313" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> THE OX TRANSCENDED</div> <bR> <div> The ox is no longer of any concern to the boy.</div> <bR> <div> At peace with the nature</div> <div> of all things,</div> <div> the boy enters deep meditation.</div> <bR> <div> Dwelling in blissful solitude,</div> <div> the boundaries between</div> <div>  "self" and "other"</div> <div> begin to melt.</div> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000099 HEIGHT= 323 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1ba2c390.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="313" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="332"><div> THE SELF TRANSCENDED</div> <bR> <div> The flame of selfhood </div> <div> has been extinguished:</div> <bR> <div> no self, no other,</div> <div> no time, no space,</div> <div> the fulness of Emptiness.</div> </tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000099 HEIGHT= 323 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1bc2c390.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="313" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER><NOBR><div> REACHING THE SOURCE</div> <bR> <div> Out of Emptiness appears that which IS.</div> <bR> <div> Poised in mystic selflessness,</div> <div> there is no self in anything particular:</div> <bR> <div> The 10,000 things arise ......</div> <div> and pass away.</div> <bR> <div> (Only oxen fuss over this ! )</div> <bR> </NOBR></tD> </tR> <tR> <tD VALIGN=TOP BGCOLOR=#000099 HEIGHT= 323 ><NOBR><div> <IMG SRC="1be2c390.jpg" border=0 width="300" height="313" ALIGN="BOTTOM" HSPACE="0" VSPACE="0"></div> </NOBR></tD> <tD VALIGN=CENTER WIDTH="332"><div> MEETING PU-TAI</div> <bR> <div> Returning to the world,</div> <div> one is invisible:</div> <bR> <div> no doer, only the doing;</div> <div> every deed a part</div> <div> of the functioning</div> <div> of totality.</div> <bR> <div> Pu-tai smiles and walk on.</div> </tD> </tR> </TABLE></div> <bR> </td> </tr></table></body>