Zen Haikus

Those who see worldly life as an obstacle to Dharma
see no Dharma in everyday actions. 
They have not yet discovered that 
there are no everyday actions outside of Dharma.
Dogen

The past is already past.
Don't try to regain it.
The present does not stay.
Don't try to touch it.

From moment to moment.
The future has not come;
Don't think about it
Beforehand.

Whatever comes to the eye,
Leave it be.
There are no commandments
To be kept;
There's no filth to be cleansed.

With empty mind really
Penetrated, the dharmas
Have no life.

When you can be like this,
You've completed
The ultimate attainment.
Layman P'ang (740-808)

Jadoo!

Pighle Neelam sa behta hua ye samaa,
Neelam neelam si khamoshiyan,
Na kahin hai zameen, na kahin asmaan,
Sarsarati hui tehniyan, pattiya, keh rahi hain,
Ki bas ek tum ho yahan,
Sirf main hun, meri sansein aur ye dhadkanein,
Aisi gahraiyan, aisi tanhaiyan aur main,
Sirf main.
Apne hone pe, mujhko yakin aa gaya.


Dilon mein tum apni betabiyan leke chal rahe ho, to zinda ho tum,
Nazar mein khwabon ki bijliyan leke chal rahe ho, to zinda ho tum,
Hawa ke jhonkho ke jaise, azaad rehna seekho,
Tum ek dariya ke jaise, lehron mein behna seekho,
Har ek lamhe se tum milo khole apni bahein,
Har ek pal, ek naya samaa dekhe ye nigahein,
Jo apni aankhon mein hairaniyan leke chal rahe ho, to zinda ho tum
Dilon mein tum apni betabiyan leke chal rahe ho, to zinda ho tum


 -Javed Akhtar

The Mountain and the Squirrel

The mountain and the squirrel 
Had a quarrel, 
And the former called the latter, "little prig": 
Bun replied, 
You are doubtless very big, 
But all sorts of things and weather 
Must be taken in together
To make up a year, And a sphere. 
And I think it no disgrace 
To occupy my place.
If I'm not so large as you, 
You are not so small as I, 
And not half so spry: I'll not deny you make 
A very pretty squirrel track;
Talents differ; all is well and wisely put;
If I cannot carry forests on my back, 
Neither can you crack a nut.

 -R.W. Emerson

Mom's Joy(s)

Bloomsday befalls! Sulekha Kumar appreciates the heroic in everyday life, while celebrating the genius of James Joyce.