The best reward is no reward at all,
happy to sit and count breaths in zazen,
everyday life it seems is no puzzle,
better to accept what we are given,
enter a room seeing both great and small,
seeking nothing, without a thought to gain,
taking in stride the dog with a muzzle,
remember that all suffer in their pain,
each day renews what came to pass before,
welcome the presence of others who stay,
as we remain together, come what may,
rewards are empty gestures for success,
delight in the activity itself,
in time, we may seek out rewards no more,
since to seek punishment causes distress,
no side to a coin is better or worse,
only different on the surface, beneath
remains hidden from view until revealed,
emptiness is knowledge without wisdom,
wisdom without knowledge sits on a shelf,
arguments, complaints, and excuses waste
response time to enjoy in the kingdom,
decide how we respond to each person,
ask questions, seek answers, a jar unsealed
tastes of peanut butter or jelly, taste
all things before making judgments, the curse
left for us to let go, the laurel wreath,
lifted onto the head without reason.
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