Burn

by Peter Heller

Everyone had to know in their bones that every life hung by a thread. That the world did. But if we couldn’t pretend to count on a morning of sailing, or fishing, or a visit with someone we loved the next day, we’d go nuts, right?

What did the student ask the Zen master? “I have gained enlightenment, what do I do now?” And Roshi had answered: “Wash your bowl.” I have lost everything, what do I do now? Wash the pot, ha. Maybe enlightenment and total loss are the same thing. That is something to chew on.