Neither Holy nor Wise

When the mind is at peace,
the world too is at peace.

Nothing real,
nothing absent.

Not holding on to reality,
not getting stuck in the void,

You are neither holy nor wise,
just an ordinary fellow
who has completed his work.

Layman P’ang

MARLA COMES AND SITS WITH ME during today’s quiet period. She’s a little self-conscious and gives me an uncertain sidelong glance as if not believing that it’s really okay for her to be here. I don’t think I put out much of a guru vibe, but I guess I must put out something because everyone reacts in a similar reverential sort of way.