Lost Coin



Wish-filled coins in a stream. Butchart (Japanese) Garden, Victoria, BC. 2022

Seeing these coins in the stream reminded me of a koan...

"The coin lost in the river is found in the river."

Koans are a zen study tradition where a puzzling phrase repeats in your head -- an ear worm that seizes you and won't go away. According to John Tarant, "A koan is poetic and personal. Let it be your friend, like a dog that follows you. Koans don't explain things, but may change you by showing you something... by opening a gate to walk through. Enjoy your koan. Relish it."

Try wondering about the koan above. It may not be what you expect. Experiment... is it a coin? Is it really lost? Your mind presents all sorts of meanings... money, something lost and recovered, hidden treasure, a flowing river. Maybe it was never lost. Ah, the coin!




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