The Wisdom of Unreason or Throwing the Baby Out With the Bathwater

Once a monk made a request of Joshu.

“I have just entered the monastery,” he said. “Please give me instructions, Master.”

Joshu said, “Have you had your breakfast?”

“Yes, I have,” replied the monk.

“Then,” said Joshu, “wash your bowls.”

The monk had an insight.- Traditional Zen Koan

Everyone thinks they’re smart. Everyone thinks they are a good person. Everyone is the hero of their story. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how stupid I am. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how evil I am. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized how I am the villain of my story.

For most of my life, I’ve held on to reason to explain myself. The stupidity of this has dawned on me more. It’s easy to personalize everything. I’ve always done it. At various times, I have believed I am the maker of my fate, that my successes are my own, that I stand on my two feet, that If I just do the right thing, everything will work out, that my intelligence and reason will guide me.

Rubbish. Throw the baby out with the bathwater. Embrace your idiocy, your evil, your darkness. Embrace how truly fucked you are. How you have no fucking clue what you are doing. That every day is filled with fear…