#ko un

[ma-pi-ma]

Come possono esistere solo fiori?

da quella parte

osserva anche l’arido letto del fiume

niente degno di essere visto

quello potrebbe essere il tuo amore.

Ko Un, da Fiori di un istante, 2001

[apoemaday]

Your Pilgrimage

by Ko Un tr. Brother Anthony of Taizé and Lee Sang-Wha

A slower pace, a somewhat slower pace will do. Of a sudden, should it start to rain, let yourself get soaked. An old friend, the rain.

One thing alone is beautiful: setting off. The world's too vast to live in a single place, or three or four.

Walk on and on until the sun sets, with your old accomplice, shadow, late as ever. If the day clouds over, go on anyway regardless.

[songbirds-here]

You fools who ask what god is should ask what life is instead. Find a port where lemon trees bloom. Ask about places to drink in the port. Ask about the drinkers. Ask about the lemon trees. Ask and ask until nothing’s left to ask.

— ‘Asking the Way’ (Ko Un, tr. Suji Kwock Kim & Sunja Kim Kwock)

[metamorphesque]

Asking the Way, Ko Un (translated by Suji Kwock Kim and Sunja Kim Kwock)

[divinegastronomer]

Two Beggars

Ko Un is a prolific South Korean poet known for his contributions to the world of literature and his involvement in advocating for human rights and democracy. In this haiku, he beautifully intertwines the simplicity of a moment with deep philosophical and esoteric meanings.

While haiku traditionally focuses on nature and the seasons, its form can also capture human experiences and moments of enlightenment or insight in the most minimalistic manner.

The esoteric culinary philosophical meaning of this haiku can be unraveled by exploring its layers:

1. Two beggars sharing a meal of the food they've been given: This line signifies humility and gratitude. The act of sharing, especially among those who have little, speaks to the human capacity for generosity and empathy.

In a culinary context, it suggests that the true essence of a meal lies not in its abundance or luxury but in the spirit of sharing and community it fosters. Food, in its simplest form, becomes a medium of connection and unity.

2. The new moon shines intensely: The mention of the new moon, which traditionally symbolizes new beginnings and potential, adds a layer of hope and renewal.

Its intense shine amidst the scene of modest sharing underscores the idea that even in moments of scarcity or simplicity, there is a profound beauty and possibility. The moon, unaffected by the earthly concerns of wealth or status, shines equally on all, reminding us of the universal truths and the cyclic nature of life and nature.

Esoterically, this haiku drives at the heart of simplicity, the cycle of giving and receiving, and finding profound satisfaction and enlightenment in the most basic elements of human experience.

The philosophical underpinning lies in appreciating the present moment, recognizing the interconnectedness of all life, and understanding the ephemeral nature of existence – themes deeply rooted in Zen Buddhism and Taoist philosophies, which often influence haiku.

Through this lens, the culinary aspect becomes a metaphor for the sustenance of life (physical, emotional, and spiritual), underscoring that sustenance does not come solely from the food itself but from the spirit in which it is shared and received, and the mindfulness of our place in the larger cosmos. The haiku, in its succinct form, presents a profound meditation on life, interconnectivity, and the essence of true contentment.

[protectyouropacities]

“There were dazzling days When I longed to tear out my eyes And replace them with other eyes.”

— Ko Un, Himalaya Poems

[dishearteningmediocrity]

"Surely, a true adult is someone above all

who never suddenly lashes out at a child.

Who simply nods as a child talks,

and replies in even tones

no matter how much the child,

even someone else's child, pesters him.

...

Surely, a true adult

is someone who treats not only children but the world in that way:

with the warm darkness of an evening rock that has not cooled off."

--Ko Un, from "Doubts Concerning the Highlands," Himalaya Poems

[kafk-a]

Mohja Kahf / Ko Un / Julian K. Jarboe / Rabbi Jack Abramovitz / Amiri Baraka / Keegan Lester