CATCHING THE OX – STAGE IV
This is an active stage towards realization.
Or if that’s not what you’re up to, it’s an active stage on any path you’re on.
Remember the spiral? We go up and down.
In this stage, the ox is caught with a rope but he doesn't want this. So he jumps and drags the young boy fiercely back and forth.
The ox is stubborn and resists breaking from old habits.
Remember, the ox represents the mind, so we're talking about training this mind after so many decades of doing things in a particular way.
This is how we feel when we are trying to change.
We are given instructions on one thing or another and think the transition should be easy.
Although catching the ox was not that difficult, holding on to him requires great strength and energy.
You’ll see Taro struggle with this.
And remember, a spiritual path is just one form.
These ox herding pictures represent anything on any path of your choice. It’s all the same phenomenon.
(Tricycle, 2000)
STAGE III – SEEING THE OX
I took a little detour because Taro the Zen Cat launched, but I’m back and now on to Stage III of the Ten Ox Herding Pictures and the Path to Enlightenment.
Finally the rear end of a half-hidden ox is spotted by the ox herder. This represents the stage where we decide to really, finally take some kind of action.
We may not be entirely sure what that is yet, so various things are tried.
Everything is at a beginning level, yet one is beginning to see a little through the density of the fog.
But everything is slippery and nothing is for sure.
This is the part in the book where Taro is finally at the Temple gate.
For many, getting to Stage III can take a long, long time. For the sake of Taro's story, he didn't take that long because it was a story, so no need to drag it out.
But you will come to appreciate how nothing is linear, but rather life moves in a spiral.
Weaving back and forth, we're in and then out of our commitment to the Path. Or, commitment to anything. It doesn’t have to spiritual at all.
Yet this is seen as a positive beginning.
(From Tricycle, Spring 2000)
Well, without giving away too much, he is branded as Taro. Honestly, that's just a "stage" name. His real name is Oliver, my muse and big ginger cat. Right now I'm not thinking of extending the story beyond this first book. But I have lots of other ideas rattling around in my head
Taro's Launch
Wow, launching a book is stressful!
But I do feel good about my little ginger buddy who became a zen cat.
Come along for the ride at:
https://t.co/tFSBeUZnsa
TARO THE ZEN CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG
The Anniversary Edition
Launching today, Tuesday, Jan 30th, on Amazon in e-book format, soft, and hard cover
Thank you 😺 🩷 for your kind consideration of buying and leaving an honest review
SEEING THE FOOTPRINTS OF THE OX – STAGE II
Continuing on along this journey, we find ourselves at Stage II.
Finally some footprints are seen!
This represents the stage where dissatisfaction leads to decisions to start doing something.
But not much more than reading, thinking, discussing, fantasizing. You know.
This is the Stage where I often land with thoughts about weight loss or doing something about my Mailing List.
A little bit of light has begun to shine on the Path…
But not much else happens.
Yet.
This is the part in Taro the Zen Cat where he goes to the main gate of the Gakiji Hungry Ghost Zen Buddhist Temple...
(From Tricycle; Spring 2000)