Ryokan: The I Ching States Happiness Lies in the Proper Blend of:

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The I Ching States Happiness Lies in the Proper Blend of:

Ryokan, Ryokan poetry, Buddhist, Buddhist poetry, Zen / Chan poetry, [TRADITION SUB2] poetry, poetry

by Ryokan
(1758 - 1831) Timeline

English version by
John Stevens

Original Language
Japanese

Hot-cold
good-bad
black-white
beautiful-ugly
large-small
wisdom-foolishness
long-short
brightness-darkness
high-low
partial-whole
relaxation-quickness
increase-decrease
purity-filth
slow-fast.

-- from Dewdrops on a Lotus Leaf: Zen Poems of Ryokan, Translated by John Stevens

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/ Photo by kelsey_lovefusionphoto /

Themes

Fire

Night

Recommended Books

	Between the Floating Mist: Poems of Ryokan, Translated by Hide Oshiro / Translated by Dennis Maloney
	Between Two Souls: Conversations with Ryokan, by Mary Lou Kownacki
	Dewdrops on a Lotus Leaf: Zen Poems of Ryokan, Translated by John Stevens
	The Enlightened Heart: An Anthology of Sacred Poetry, by Stephen Mitchell
	Great Fool: Zen Master Ryokan: Poems, Letters, and Other Writings, Translated by Ryuichi Abe

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A reminder for us today from that master of wisdom-foolishness, Ryokan, to walk the slim pathway between the extremes, to touch both but not be held by either. Absolutes are for fundamentalists and those weary of the journey. The rest of us continue to navigate that hidden line where opposites meet. We learn the way by knowing our hearts.

We might catch a glimpse, we might just notice that opposites are not opposed, but joined. And we dance along that seam of connection.

One last bit of advice: When you dance, dance slow-fast!

(That's the long and the short of it... :)

Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Poetry Chaikhana
Sacred Poetry from Around the World