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When the pupil is ready to learn, a teacher will appear.


This is the concrete bunker that leads through to the carpark in Salamanca Square, which is built into an old quarry. I think that it looks suitably World War Two.

On occasion I drift into moments of Zen-like prescience, peace and composure. Of course, these moments represent diversions from the reality of the daily grind of waking up, rustling up Weet-Bix for Henry, shower, dress, bus, work, lunch, work, bus, rustling up Henry dinner, washing children, sleep, rinse, repeat.

What I want to know is whether Zen is fulfilment or exertion? Permanent or transitory? Arrival or journey?

Would we want it to be permanent?
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Comments

Candie said…
Are you in too?Well..nothing surprises me anymore..

Yes that pic is scary!Reminds me of a bad nightmare.
8 April 2009 at 07:53
Anonymous said…
Well, that all depends. I'm thinking zen likes a nice view, but maybe I have the budget zen, which means it's pretty tempermental, requiring frequent adjustments. You get what you pay for, so they say.
8 April 2009 at 08:25
Kris McCracken said…
Candie, no Zen moments today.

Give it time...
8 April 2009 at 09:10
Kris McCracken said…
Altadenahiker, I like the notion of budget Zen. I've not got the time or patience for the real deal...
8 April 2009 at 09:11
Debbie Courson Smith said…
A dungeon-y photo with an uplifting thought.
8 April 2009 at 12:23
Sue said…
My Zen moments these days consist of...Zen I will go to work, Zen I will do the washing...Zen I will scrub the toilet...Zen I will do the grocery shopping...Zen I will cook tea....etc, etc, etc. I'm sure you get the drift!??
A permanent journey to exertion (and exhaustion).
8 April 2009 at 12:36
Kris McCracken said…
Diva, it is an interesting space. Great acoustics.

I don't know how people got by in air raid shelters.
8 April 2009 at 13:08
Kris McCracken said…
Sue, can't your boys cook for you?

I've already got Henry wanting to do all sorts of things in the kitchen.

One day he shall be making MY dinner.
8 April 2009 at 13:09
Sue said…
Yes...my boys were once helpful about the house too. When they were little they did all sorts of things to help me. But they are grown up now and far too busy to do such menial things. Tell me Kris...how many dinners did you cook Roddy and Franny when you were at home pre-Jen?
8 April 2009 at 13:21
Kris McCracken said…
Sue, my mother worked in kitchens and was thus out of the house at dinner time.

Father worked away.

I regret that I never really had the opportunity.
8 April 2009 at 13:53
Priyanka Khot said…
I believe in the truth of the quote to quite an extent. This too is Richard Bach's? Am I correct?
8 April 2009 at 15:49
Jagjit said…
Nice perspective.
8 April 2009 at 15:55
Sue said…
Aaah...that is the answer! I have to make myself scarce at meal times! And the father being away we have down pat! hehehe
Honestly, I really don't mind most nights. The boys help in most other ways if I need it and they do cook a meal if I insist.
And I think it is quite lovely that you do so much with your boys. I am sure they will (and do) appreciate it...as well as Jen.
8 April 2009 at 18:57
KL said…
Creepy! this place is definitely haunted.
8 April 2009 at 20:43
Kris McCracken said…
Priyanka, well, Bach did rip an awful lot off traditional Zen philosophy…
10 April 2009 at 16:35
Kris McCracken said…
Jagjit, it was fun.
10 April 2009 at 16:35
Kris McCracken said…
Sue, I shall have them waiting on me like a GOD.
10 April 2009 at 16:36
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