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Nansen kills the cat

Here is a koan that I quite like called Nansen kills the cat from the Mumonkan or The Gateless Gate. I have taken it from the dewdrop.org. Once the monks of the eastern and western Zen halls in Master Nansen’s temple were quarrelling about a cat. Nansen held up the cat and said, “You monks! If one ofContinue reading “Nansen kills the cat”

Stoic thought of the day 06/27

Here’s another one from Marcus Aurelius. “When you arise in the morning, think of what a precious privilege it is to be alive – to breathe, to think, to enjoy, to love.”

Stoic thought of the day 06/26

Here’s one from Seneca. “Things are only ill that are ill taken; and it is not for a man of worth to think himself better or worse for the opinion of others.”

Stoic thought of the day 06/23/23

Here’s another one from Epictetus. “First say to yourself what you would be; and then do what you have to do.”

Stoic thought of the day 6/22/23

Here’s one from Marcus Aurelius. Say to yourself first thing in the morning: today I shall meet people who are meddling, ungrateful, aggressive, treacherous, malicious, unsocial. All this has afflicted them through their ignorance of true good and evil. But I have that the nature of good is what is right, and the nature ofContinue reading “Stoic thought of the day 6/22/23”

Koans

According to Google, a koan is “a paradoxical anecdote or riddle, used in Zen Buddhism to demonstrate the inadequacy of logical reasoning and to provoke enlightenment.” Here’s a fresh one for you. John put on his hat.He was surprised to find it was actually a dog.The master said, “It isn’t a dog or a hat.”“Oh,” said John. “I see.”

Stoic thought of the day 06/21/23

Here’s one from Epictetus. “It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.” Good luck out there today everybody.

The Turtle

One day, I was driving home from work, and I came upon a turtle in the road. I carefully drove around the turtle and began to drive away. As I moved along, it occurred to me that I should stop and move the turtle to safety. Excuses flashed through my mind as to why IContinue reading “The Turtle”

Dogs

The domesticated canine is the most perfect being in all of creation. Here is a creature completely without sin. Devoid of malice. Overflowing with love. Loyal. Completely genuine. I think we should all strive to be more like dogs. If I were half the man my dog is, I’d be a very great man indeed.

On fame

I’ve been reading some Stoic philosophy lately, and I came across a quote from Marcus Aurelius that I found quite interesting. “He who has a vehement desire for posthumous fame does not consider that every one of those who remember him will himself also die very soon; then again also they who have succeeded them,Continue reading “On fame”