Zen And The Art Of...

Land Cruiser's chrome hood latch. The truck went up on eBay the other day. So much for attachment.

I spend a lot of time in bookstores, it's a favorite pastime. While walking the stacks I’ve noticed a plethora of books and articles entitled Zen and the Art of (insert whatever you please). I find it ludicrous that people actually believe that Zen Buddhism can help them sink that 18-foot uphill putt or amass a winning stock portfolio. How is that even possible?

There’s no debate that sitting hours of zazen has some intrinsic calming and concentration-enhancing side effects, but they are just that, unintended and superfluous. They are not the point of the pointless practice, and certainly not going to help anyone’s golf game. Zen is a dirty, ugly business that brings confusion and clarity all at the same time. Don’t be fooled by dripping water or pristinely raked sand. I suppose that if you spend enough time raking sand that I’ll help you clean the trap up after your bunker shot. Maybe there is something to all those books after all.

Heading out in a few days. Back to the Middle East.