“Roshi once told us that there were three different kinds of horses: with one, just a tug at the reins made them start moving; the second, a kick in the flanks and they were off; and then there were those that had to be beaten to the bone with a whip before they started to move. “Unfortunately,” he said, “most human beings are the third kind.” He told us we act as though we were going to live forever. “Wake up,” he said.
~ Natalie Goldberg
- Credits: Quote source: Katagiri Roshi was Goldberg’s Zen Teacher. Goldberg’s book is titled Long Quiet Highway: Waking Up in America. p. 149. Image Credit
- Related Post: Look for those small openings (Natalie Goldberg quote and bio)
So true David. I had to be laid off in my mid thirties before I got moving. Quite an effective whip! Being self employed is the best whip I know! I am about to take on a huge mortgage, and I can tell you that is another pretty good whip!
🙂 Laughing. I’m still waiting for a larger whip.
Another thought (yes, you got me going on this one. Again): if I understand the metaphor correctly, surely the question isn’t which horse I’m riding? Isn’t it “which horse ARE you?”. Sorry to be pedantic.
I actually thought about that Michael. Not pedantic at all. Landed on title because I thought it was “catchier.” How’s that for commercializing and cheapening a Zen koan?
I had the same thought, Michael, but it’s David’s blog so he’s allowed to ensnare us with whatever devious means he wants to use. Caught us both, didn’t he? So which horse IS he? I think he’s the second.
Laughing. No, largely in #3 camp I’m afraid…
Yes, ensnared is what we are. Lassooed in fact (sure that’s not how you spell it). He conned us into reading it.
I think that makes me (not you, I wouldn’t be so rude) a donkey.
eeyore, eeyore, eeyore.
LAUGHING!
Well, give my size I guess I’m a pony. And I don’t do well with whips, crops – etc. Do I need a good kick every once in a while? Sigh…yes.
Pony? Hmmmm.
Sure – they’re smaller than a horse..
Like this?
http://www.mattieugray.com/2013/04/03/hello-world/
Cute David, very cute..yes, s/he could be my sibling…
She is so right.
Yes she is…
I’m glad he was a person trainer, not a horse trainer
Ahhhh yes. A horse aficionado. I was waiting for a legitimate rider to show up, and there you are Ophelia, right on cue.
I like this, I think at times most of us have been like each of these horses. I agree with Mimi, I don’t like whips…a little nudge and a lump of sugar works quite well 🙂
Smiling. I don’t support whips on anything living. Me, though, needs a mallet.
and some horses will destroy themselves to have you off their back. Watch out for those.
That’s right Bill…that’s #4
I don’t like whips either! The thought of anything being “beaten to the bone with a whip” makes me cringe. If we are lucky, an awakening will happen all on its own and gently.
OF Course our Radiating Blossom would land here…. 🙂
Human beings stuck in inertia.
Or just stuck. Alex, your comment reminds me of Albert Camus quote:
“One plays at being immortal and after a few weeks one doesn’t even know whether or not one can hang on till the next day.”
So true. Nice quote.
It is…thanks Indira
I am the third type of horse.
Me too!