The Heart of Being

They are statements about reality that invite, and sometimes demand a response.

And not just any response, but your response, my response.

From the heart of being.

Your being.


My being.

So, a koan, an anecdote collected in two twelfth century Chinese anthologies of spiritual guidance, as case fifty-four of the Book of Serenity and as case eighty-nine of the Blue Cliff Record.

The case turns on two brothers who will both become renowned masters of the Zen way. The younger, Yunyan asks his brother who has already walked the way a great distance, “Why is it the Bodhisattva Guanyin (the archetype of compassion, of caring in this world, of love manifest) has so many hands and eyes?” His brother Daowu responded, “It is like someone sleeping, in the night, reaching behind her head for her pillow.” To these words Yunyan said, “I understand.” When asked what his understanding he said, “Our bodies are covered with eyes and hands.” Daowu replied, “Almost. You’re eight tenths of the way.” And when asked what is the fuller response, was told, “There are only eyes and hands.”

A message from the heart of the cosmos, from the center of your heart. 


From God’s mouth to your ear.

A statement about reality. 

And an invitation…

A demand…