An inquisitive, young woman approached Lo Zu and asked him, “Why do you leave our village every day and go wandering off into the mountains?”
Lo Zu, the great sage, answered, “I have talked to all of you many times about ‘no mind’ and that, in essence, I do not really exist as anything concrete internally. Yet, you all continue to see me as just another man.”
The inquisitive, young woman then pensively exclaimed, “I do not understand!”
Lo Zu then stated, “When this body is in the village, you say ‘Lo Zu is here.’ When this body is in the mountains, you say, ‘Lo Zu is not here.’ At least when one is in the mountains, you (in the village) speak the truth.”
Lichen … Photo by Thomas Peace c. 2018
Tom's Nature-up-close Photography and Mindfulness Blog 
Wise, catchy story … so, is the lichen truly “not there”?
Thanks much, Jazz! 🙂 The lichen is there, but our limited, learned separate egos are not.
More please.
Thank you, Rachel. 🙂 Other (similar) Lo Zu posts precede this one (chronologically) if you are interested.
I’ve seen quite a few— love them.
Lovely story! Yes, more please!
Thank you, LV! 🙂
That’s a nice story Tom and those are the prettiest lichen … you outdid yourself with these mauve lichen.
Thank you, Linda! 🙂
I’ll be off to the hospital again today to see Marla. They keep monitoring her blood regarding the serious infection that she has in her shoulder. Hopefully, she will be able to come home soon.
I’ll keep my fingers crossed that Marla comes home soon. My mom had 42 orthopedic operations over the course of her lifetime, so I’m well aware of Marla’s pain, the chance of infection and the aftermath of any and all surgeries. You both have my sympathies.
great story full of wisdom, Thomas. Have a Merry Christmas and all the best to Marla,
kind regards Mitza
Reblogged this on Becoming is Superior to Being and commented:
When I’m In the mountain I speak the true.