To be brutally honest, we need no religions. The truth has no name, not Zen, not Sufi, not Unitarian Universalist. However, within each of these ancient ways, these and so many others, there is a secret band of sisters and brothers of the true way. They have many names, but need none. They follow the universal path. They sing the universal songs. They show the universal way. So, when people ask me what is a koan and I say it is not a thorny question, and they push, and ask, so what is it, I point them to this poem written by Mevlana (which means, of course, our teacher), the great Rumi, founder of the Mevlevi Order. Here in Coleman Barks lovely version. The whole of the Zen way laid bare…
If anyone asks you
how the perfect satisfaction
of all our sexual wanting
will look, lift your face
and say,
Like this.
When someone mentions the gracefulness
of the nightsky, climb on the roof
and dance and say,
Like this?
If anyone wants to know what “spirit” is,
or what “God’s fragrance” means,
lean your head toward him or her.
Keep your face there close.
Like this.
If anyone wonders how Jesus raised the dead,
don’t try to explain the miracle.
Kiss me on the lips.
Like this. Like this.
When someone asks what it means
to “die for love,” point
here.
If someone asks how tall I am, frown
and measure with your fingers the space
between the creases on your forehead.
This tall.
The soul sometimes leaves the body, then returns.
When someone doesn’t believe that,
walk back into my house.
Like this.
I am a sky where spirits live.
Stare into this deepening blue,
while the breeze says a secret.
Like this.
When someone asks what there is to do,
light the candle in his hand.
Like this.
How did Joseph’s scent come to Jacob?
Huuuuu.
How did Jacob’s sight return?
Huuuu.
A little wind cleans the eyes.
Like this.
When Shams comes back from Tabriz,
he’ll put just his head around the edge
of the door to surprise us.
Like this.
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