At The Edge Of the Forest

For context, this share is an adaptation from a past writing of Thay’s: A Teacher Looking For His Disciple. It is the preface to the new book: Zen and the Art of Saving the Planet, entitled, “At The Edge of the Forest”

I have been looking for you, my child, Since the time when rivers and mountains still lay in obscurity. I was looking for you When you were still in a deep sleep….

In former lifetimes, you have often taken my hand and we have enjoyed walking together. We have sat together for a long time at the foot of old pine trees. We have stood side by side in silence for hours, listening to the sound of the wind softly calling us, and looking up at the white clouds floating by. You have picked up and given to me the first red autumn leaf and I have taken you through forests deep in snow. But wherever we go, we always return to our ancient mountain to be near to the moon and stars, to invite the big bell every morning to sound, and help living beings to wake up.