The way I understood this koan was that the sound of one hand is nothing, and more specifically using a Buddhist term, mu. Mu not necessarily meaning nothing or no, but more over nothingness or emptiness. Emptiness relates to the concept of dependent origination in that nothing exists in and of itself. Everything exists only because of a series of causes and conditions and then ceases to exist because of other cause and conditions. So in the case of this
Words: 755 - Pages: 4
Hang’s description of the Russian landscape is often devoid of color, which symbolizes the emptiness and mechanical state of her life as an exported worker. During this time of her life she has ceased to fight and resigned herself to her empty, lonely life of work. The weather in the USSR is oppressive. A “net of grey clouds” (37) hangs over the Kiev sky. This “net” illustrates that Hang is trapped in this life and this grey, hopeless world. The trees are leafless and barren silhouetted against this
Words: 526 - Pages: 3
Wilfred Owen letter: My own dearest Mother, Immediately after I sent my last letter, more than a fortnight ago, we were rushed up into the Line. Twice in one day we went over the top, gaining both our objectives. Our A Company led the Attack, and of course lost a certain number of men. I had some extraordinary escapes from shells & bullets. Fortunately there was no bayonet work, since the Hun ran before we got up to his trench. You will find mention of our fight in the Communiqué; the place
Words: 3392 - Pages: 14
frustration, tension, disappointment, fear or anger. Many teens turn to drugs when they feel as though they have no where or no else to turn to for help. Depression is a major reason teens might turn to drug abuse. They are overcome with a feeling of emptiness and hopelessness and tend to try to fill the void by using drugs. When teens are particularly stressed or upset they may use more drugs than normal in an attempt to ease their distress. Teens that are shy or fearful may begin to use drugs to
Words: 709 - Pages: 3
Aaron Burne 11th period Stiffler 5/7/09 In Ray Bradbury’s science fiction novel “Fahrenheit 451”, the protagonist, Guy Montag, experiences a big change in his perspective on life. In a society where books are banned, and intellectualism and deep thought are shunned, Montag begins to realize how empty life is and how little value life has anymore. He begins to read books and tries to talk about them, against the wishes of his wife and boss. Although his new habit gets him into deep trouble at
Words: 822 - Pages: 4
Leo Tolstoy’s “The Death of Ivan Ilych” Published in 1886, The Death of Ivan Ilych is regarded as one of Leo Tolstoy’s greatest works. The novella centers on the life and death of a 45-year old high court judge in Russia. With a high-paying job, a fulfilling career and a reputable social status, Ivan seems to be living the good life. One day however, he accidently falls from a ladder and hurts his side while hanging up the curtains in his new apartment. While the doctors failed to make a clear diagnosis
Words: 2197 - Pages: 9
Thump, thump, thump. Thump, thump, thump. Emptiness Kyro, emptiness. Let it all go. Her heart wouldn't calm itself, her thoughts only focusing on what Evana claimed about their demons. 'Letting them free' she said. She suppressed a shudder, that seems to be creeping up on her constantly. " Kyro," someone calls. She doesn't open her eyes. " Don't try too hard, this is embedded in your soul. In one try you will become the master. Not me." it was Jaz. He was so nice, Kyro felt so insecure walking
Words: 682 - Pages: 3
A Gab of Sky “It is dark, but the wrong dark. Something is wrong with the dark”, sounds the opening sentence in the short story “A Gab of Sky” which is written by Anna Hope in 2008. Ellie is parties all nights with some friends. In these parties Ellie and her friends take several drugs. Because of these parties and drugs and the alcohol, Ellie is having trouble getting up of her bed and do her assignments. Because she knows there will be consequences if Ellie does not make her assignments. “She
Words: 876 - Pages: 4
Cameron Smith is a sixteen-year-old boy who lives in a modern world in Texas and wants to get through high school with minimum effort, but that was before he was diagnosed with mad cow disease, which means he is going to die. Cameron is the total opposite of his sister Jenna, who is popular in school and after the news quickly spread, Cameron received a lot of attention from everyone. Hope emerges when Dulcie, a loopy punk angel tells Cam that here is a cure and asked if he is willing to search
Words: 819 - Pages: 4
origin) of the Christian culture, and the Norse culture of Iceland (the Vikings). Both of these creation myths start with an emptiness where conflict and chaos eventually develop. The Genesis crearion is between God, nothing, blackness, emptiness, loneliness, and the need to create something. The Norse creation is between the dark cold realm of Niflheim, within the emptiness of Ginnungagap, and the fiery realm of Muspell, where nothing can grow. There are nine classifications of creation myths
Words: 1760 - Pages: 8
