Overhead Wiring

"Overhead Wiring" number 115 of 200 from Robert Aitken's book Miniatures of a Zen Master.

As progress occurs, we go from overhead wiring to underground wiring, from survival to aesthetics, from disease-care to health-care.

"That is assuming that people will be around to make this possible."



Do you feel the commitment to finish reading books you start? I used to. Now I freely stop reading books that don't hold my attention. A while ago I started giving away books with no expectation of return. I even give away books that I greatly enjoyed. I still hang on to reference books.

Today I came across the argument that books that are poorly written should be thrown out rather than given away on the premise that so many people feel committed to finishing a book and giving them a poor book wastes their time. Agreed!


Rest in natural great peace
This exhausted mind
Beaten helpless by karma and neurotic thought,
Like the relentless fury of the pounding waves
In the infinite ocean of samsara.

poem by Nyoshul Khenpo


"When effort is spent making something, there are tangible results from the expense of energy."
Doug Stowe "Wisdom of the Hands"



Any error or confusion created by my commentary on
Miniatures of a Zen Master
is solely a reflection of my own delusion and ignorance.
Any merit generated by this activity is solely the result of
Aitken Roshi's clear teaching and is dedicated to
all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas throughout space and time.