#0004 - Pillow Books

Language is the code we use to program our minds. Different languages result in different programs. This may be why Western languages fall short when explaining Eastern spiritual concepts. Zen Flesh, Zen Bones is a compilation of easy-to-understand Zen short stories and a great introduction to Eastern philosophy.

I added Zen Flesh, Zen Bones to my pillow books in my mid-twenties; while searching for motivation. The short story that blew my mind was about a Japanese wrestler called O-nami(Great Wave). “In his private bouts he defeated even his teacher, but in public, he was so bashful that his own pupils threw him.” One night, a Zen master advises the wrestler to stay at the temple and meditate:

— Imagine that you are those huge waves sweeping everything before them, swallowing all in their path

O-nami stays up all night projecting himself as a big wave. The temple floods, and even Budah gets covered by water. The next morning, the Zen monk finds O-nami meditating calmly with a smile on his face. O-nami never lost a match again.

At the time, I didn't know why was O-nami’s story so remarkable, but it worked. I started meditating and focusing on my power. After years of reading Zen Flesh, Zen Bones, I think I finally know the answer. The short story is powerful because of a revelation: I am my biggest enemy and the only one holding me back. At the same time, I am invencible, I am O-nami.

https://annas-archive.org/md5/802dd086305cb5e48f256bc3970171b5