Posted by Brad Osborne on February 6, 2022 · 16 Comments
Five rounded rocks stacked neatly
In sparse random parking lot
Posted by Brad Osborne on October 3, 2021 · 13 Comments
It is forever long,
This finite moment,
This breath of air,
This life sweet…
Filed under Poetry · Tagged with blessed, finite, heart, life, Life lessons, light, love, momentary, new, poem, Poetry, strict form poetry, strong, time, zen
Posted by Brad Osborne on November 4, 2020 · 8 Comments
It is forever long,
This finite moment,
This breath of air,
This life sweet…
Filed under Poetry · Tagged with blessed, finite, heart, life, Life lessons, light, love, momentary, new, poem, Poetry, strict form poetry, strong, time, zen
Posted by Brad Osborne on November 24, 2019 · 7 Comments
Among some monks a great discussion broke out regarding Taoism, that centered around a hypothetical question, a proposed response, and its insight to the Tao. The story is that a learned Taoist Master is told by another that he is very wise. How would the enlightened Master respond to the speaker? And how does his response reflect the Great Tao?
Filed under Taoist Parables · Tagged with answer, discussion, master, monks, praise, response, Tao, Tao Te Ching, taoism, taoist, zen
Posted by Brad Osborne on October 5, 2019 · 3 Comments
Five rounded rocks stacked neatly
In sparse random parking lot
Posted by Brad Osborne on June 6, 2019 · Leave a Comment
In Hongcun, a small village near the Yellow Mountains, there was a scribed named Yingpei. After a lifetime of training and practice, Yingpei had become a master of writing. His work was renowned and highly sought after.
Posted by Brad Osborne on March 8, 2014 · Leave a Comment
One evening, as the sun set gently between the mountains, Taoist Master Shichiri Kojun was reciting sutras in his small and humble home. Suddenly a thief with a sharp sword burst into his home demanding either his money or his life. Shichiri said to him, “Do not disturb me in meditation. You can find the money … Continue reading →
Filed under Taoist Parables · Tagged with gift, kindness, koan, Master Shichiri, money, parable, philospohy, Shichiri, stealing, Tao, taoism, taoist, Taoist Master Shichiri, Thief, zen
Posted by Brad Osborne on October 9, 2012 · 1 Comment
Tung Jin, the aging Taoist Master of a rural temple in the hills outside of Nanning, was beginning to feel the weight of the many years that had passed since his birth. Although his spirit was still strong, the day to day tasks in seeing to temple business and instructing his students were becoming more … Continue reading →
Filed under Taoist Parables · Tagged with acceptance, beliefs, common good, destination, empty, growth, individual, knowing, knowledge, learning, Life lessons, master, openess, path, patience, personal growth, perspective, philosophy, society, Tao, Tao Te Ching, taoism, taoist, teachings, travel, wisdom, zen
Posted by Brad Osborne on September 5, 2012 · Leave a Comment
Nan-in, a great Japanese Master of Zen during the Meiji era, received a university professor who had come to inquire about Zen. Upon arriving, the professor was shown to the formal tea house by Nan-in’s most faithful servant, Chujian. They followed the river stone path as it led through the garden to the tea house. … Continue reading →
Filed under Taoist Parables · Tagged with acceptance, common good, empty, growth, individual, knowing, knowledge, learning, Life lessons, master, openess, personal growth, perspective, philosophy, servant, society, Tao, Tao Te Ching, taoism, taoist, tea ceremony, teachings, zen
commonsensiblyspeaking 