Zen Poems

@ without going outside, you may know the whole world.

without looking through the window,

you may see the ways of heaven.

the farther you go, the less you know.

thus the sage knows without traveling;

he sees without looking;

he works without doing.




@ the softest thing in the universe.

overcomes the hardest thing in the universe.

that without substance can enter where there is no room.

hence i know the value of non-action.

teaching without words and work without doing.

are understood by very few.




@ those who know do not talk.

those who talk do not know.

keep your mouth closed

guard your senses.

simplify your problems.

mask your brightness.

be the one with the dust of the earth.

this is primal union.

he who has achieved this state

is unconcerned with friends and enemies,

with good and harm, with honor and disgrace.

this therefore is the highest state of man.