Zen Story And A Party
A monk said to Joshu” What is the way?”
Joshu replied: “Outside the fence.”
The monk insisted: “I mean the Great Way? What is the Great Way?”
Joshu replied: “The Great Way is that which leads to the Capital.”
The philosophy group gathered for a social evening last night. They came over to our place. The front room with the fire place was unusually glorious with Fall decorations, and candle light. All of that is to the credit of my wife. The serving table was laden with an extraordinary variety of side dishes to go with the chili main-course. So, we ate, drank some wine and the usual coffee–as we conversed together for several hours. There was no essay, and no topic of discussion. Yet in my case, matters of philosophy surfaced often in the range of informal conversations. Philosophy has to do with life. Any serious conversation tends toward philosophy. We work to make sense of our experience, and the help of others provides productive contrasts and comparisons.
Did I agree with everything that I heard? Not at all. Yet the evenings conversations provided much to think on —because every member of the group has proven to have considered reasons for their points of view.
It was a satisfying evening of conviviality. With our differences, each individual is on “the Great Way” as far as I can tell. I do not know how the way may look to another person. Nor can anyone understand essentially my view of the road ahead. Yet when we come together to celebrate one another, and to enjoy the fabulous food and drink contributed by all–there is peace.
“It is essential to stay on the Great Way which leads to the Capital, for only on the Great Way is there peace.” — excerpt from Conjectures of a Guilty Bystander by Thomas Merton
