David Given Schwarm

Married, Father, United

The Three Calls of the Emperor’s Teacher

Chu, called Kokushi, the teacher of the emperor, called to his attendant: `Oshin.’Oshin answered: `Yes.’ Chu repeated, to test his pupil: `Oshin.’ Oshin repeated: `Yes.’ Chu called: `Oshin.’ Oshin answered: `Yes.’ Chu said `I ought to apologize for you for all this calling, but really you ought to apologize to me.’ Mumon’s Comment: When Old…
The Most Destructive Force to Mankind

Loneliness Loneliness
I’m Working Up the Courage to…

Nothing – Nic wow–I got nothing on this.
If I Could Say Anything without Consequence

love I love you to my wife.
One Sentence for Each Year of My Life

the hippie life My life has been confusing but mostly positive
If I Could Star in any TV Commercial

40+251 Done-ish Sharpie Pens
Bells and Robes

Ummon asked: `The world is such a wide world, why do you answer a bell and don ceremonial robes?’ Mumon’s Comment: When one studies Zen one need not follow sound or colour or form. Even though some have attained insight when hearing a voice or seeing a colour or a form, this is a very…
St. Gregory of Nyssa

The soul has followed Moses and the cloud, both of these serving as guides for those who would advance in virtue; Moses her represents the commandments of the Law; and the cloud that leads the way, its spiritual meaning. The soul has been purified by crossing the Sea; it has removed from itself and destroyed…
St. Nikephoros of Chios

Fortunate is the man who has come to have God as his helper and to have his hopes in Him alone. Let the Devil bear malice towards him, let all men persecute him and plot against him, let all his adversaries fight against him – he never fears anyone, because his has God as his…
Tozan’s Three Blows

Tozan went to Ummon. Ummon asked him where he had come from. Tozan said: `From Sato village.’ Ummon asked: `In what temple did you remain for the summer?’ Tozan replied: `The temple of Hoji, south of the lake.’ `When did you leave there?’ asked Ummon, wondering how long Tozan would continue with such factual answers.…