The Restory Retreat Centre

When an archer is shooting for fun He has all his skill. If he shoots for a brass buckle He is already nervous. If he shoots for a prize of gold He goes blind Or sees two targets – He is out of his mind. His skill has not changed, But the prize divides him. He cares. He thinks more of winning Than of shooting – And the need to win Drains him of power.                                            Chuang Tzu

Photograph by Hideyuki Katagiri The purpose of fish traps is to catch fish. When the fish are caught, the traps are forgotten. The purpose of rabbit snares is to catch rabbits. When the rabbits are caught, the snares are forgotten. The purpose of words is to convey ideas. When the ideas are grasped, the words are forgotten. Where is the man who has forgotten All words, He is the one I would like to speak with.                                                                     Chuang Tzu

Photograph by Christopher Michel It often happens that I come across quotations, without looking for them or their subject matter, that supplement each other and convey the same message from different angles. I believe they are messengers and I do my utmost to listen. All other creatures look down toward the earth, but man was given a face so that he might turn his eyes toward the stars and gaze upon the sky.                                            ~ Ovid The wise man looks into space and does not regard the small as too little, nor the great as too big,   for he knows that there is no limit to dimensions.                                                      ~ Chuang Tzu George