...which I had previously been asked by another teacher and had answered correctly. When I heard the question, however, the following thought suddenly appeared in the mind, "Koans are supposed to be answered fresh and in the moment, so how can I answer this question in a fresh way that is now appropriate in this moment? My previous answer was accepted as correct, but if I give the same answer as before, it will now be old and stale. What would a correct answer be now?" This thought so paralyzed and confused me, that I couldn't respond, and the ZM sent me away to meditate. He thought that I had not yet solved the koan. In fact, I was now dealing with a new koan of my own creation that was more difficult than the original koan! After several hours of meditating on this new koan, I saw the answer, and had to stifle the laughter that would have burst forth if I had been alone rather than sitting in a room full of silent meditators.
Even today, when I remember the confusion and paralysis I felt caused by that stupid sequence of thoughts about answering a koan freshly, it still cracks me up.
The mind is just like a tar baby. One touch and you might pull free. Two touches and you're stuck tight. Three touches and a team of horses can't pull you loose.
Even today, when I remember the confusion and paralysis I felt caused by that stupid sequence of thoughts about answering a koan freshly, it still cracks me up.
The mind is just like a tar baby. One touch and you might pull free. Two touches and you're stuck tight. Three touches and a team of horses can't pull you loose.
