Eyes Are Horizontal. Nose Is Vertical: Radical Simplicity

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There is a story from 13th century Japan about Dogen, the founder of Zen in Japan. As a young man he had a variety of burning questions about life and death and how to live a profoundly meaningful and beneficial life. He couldn't find anyone in all of Japan who could adequately answer his questions, so he ventured across the ocean and traveled to China, where Zen was flourishing at the time. Upon his return from China was asked:

"What did you bring back from China to Japan?"

He said, "I came back empty-handed."

"What did you learn?"

"Not much, except gentle-heartedness." He responded.

"And," he added, "I learned that eyes are horizontal, nose is vertical."

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