I want to start publishing some of the literally, must be over, 7,000 free style haiku I have written over the last 12 years or so. I have recommended and given away many copies of the book, Haiku Mind by Patricia Donegan, to younger writers. Donegan is remarkably credentialed; and is both a big advocate of the classic 5-7-5 approach to haiku, as well as a free style of haiku consisting of just three short lines— which most all of mine are. And seems I might have invented something that could be called: linking haiku, that I feel works rather nicely at times. And I give a couple examples of that here.

I am thinking about calling a series of maybe pocket-sized books: Bending The Branch Less Than A Sparrow. That title, to my mind, has an interesting Zen quality to it. And could also even be, in part, a definition of enlightenment, or a goal in living in that:

   One's footprint in this world is of help; and perhaps 

   even a lasting oasis. And doing, if you can, no more 

   harm to others than a sparrow.

Words like Zen and enlightenment should have clear definitions; or definitions that defy definitions. And a little haiku comes to mind about that now:

the moon asked about 

  her luminosity said, “I am

    ever beyond myself”

aka: All is new. And amazing.

And maybe this is not one of them, a good definition, but just tossing this into the mix: 

At the heart of Zen, and Enlightenment, you start tripping over Buddha's head on your feet. And he starts tripping over yours—placed upon the holy shrine... that every form really is. And you both keep laughing and thinking: My gosh, everything is a fucking knockout… if truly seen!

Enlightenment is really just finally doing the math, adding up some elite two plus two. And/or knowing (on the other side of the coin) what Hafiz told us:

           “Zero* is where the real fun starts.

               There is too much counting

                       everywhere else.”

*Zero, aka: non-dual. Moreover, beyond— one.

While living in India for six years over a 20-year stretch, I spent hundreds of hours alone with someone whom I feel most Zen Masters might have felt knew even more than they did— was more aware than they were, and also more powerful. I have found it to be an interesting question to people who may think they have some true spiritual, esoteric, or philosophical understanding, to ask them:

What do you think is the most a human being can be aware of? And what do you think could be the height of a human beings power and ability to help?

Or if you wanted to factor the God word into this equation (assuming there was a God): what do you think is the most a real God could give someone?

a zen master midair 

   on a butterfly wing was

      high-fiving everyone

Who wouldn't want a high-five under those circumstances? One might pick up a lifetime of angel dust they could then salt away, and draw upon and share whenever needed.

The True Spiritual Teacher, or even say, just a great, real teacher of anything, is all about safeguarding and empowering the student. Any truly great teacher is like a wonderful parent and friend. I really feel it is one of the greatest things that can ever happen to a person— to get connected with a real spiritual teacher and to be able to spend some real time with them; maybe even especially some Buddha After Hours In The Bar... kind of time. Where all the patty-cake can stop and they can just knock you over with their various high-fives midair*.

*Midair: from a place of True Knowing. From a place of great Awareness! Of great love!

A real teacher? If I had a son or daughter who had some interest in spiritual stuff, and they said, "Dad, any good advice on finding one?" I might have plenty to say. And would too tell them: “There is some great wildish advice from Kabir on the subject, right there on page 217, in my Penguin anthology: Love Poems from God. Sooooo, check it out if ya want.”

I could ramble on here for easily another hour; but think some not-too-long blogs are good; so gonna end this one now; well pretty soon.

AND OOO— linking haiku! Okay, will try and write a decent one or two right now, following the ducks in heaven:

    pond so beautiful

        ducks and i 

          in heaven

(or could be:)

how did that duck

   fly off with

     the whole pond ...

guess 

   it was 

     true love

              ***  

the moon asked about

   her luminosity said, 

        “I know everything is ... 

buddha's belly button

   like me, and evolving 

       even, even more”

               ***

the spots 

   on the fawn

     glorious stars ...

like

  we

     are

               ***

Once I said to my teacher: “You seem to know my thoughts, if I am near to you or even far, how is that possible?” And he replied:

"I have entered that realm of no me. That realm of Illumined Nothing. But therein is an extraordinary Oneness with all things. Still I know I do not exist, though still I will always Be. The mountains were clay we shaped into being— on the spinning golden potter's wheel, Existence. The sun a candle we lit. Every form is a shrine, where I love to place my head. So let us dance! Dance. Dance within and everywhere, dear ones! Please be happy! Please have fun!"