Raven 123: Fascinated

The course you travel as you roam about seeking earnestly for the path: that's the path. Suppose you look down to see this path you're on. If you do so while walking, you'll trip on something. If you stop to do so, you only see the ground around your feet: a spot, not a path. Better get back to looking for the path.

Case

At a private meeting Grouse said, "I'm not sure that I am dedicated enough to my practice."
Raven said, "Never mind about being dedicated."
Grouse said, "The truth is, I haven't the foggiest idea of what the practice really is."
"Me, either," Raven said, "but aren't you curious?"
Grouse said, "Fascinated."
Raven said, "There you go."

Verse

In a trackless forest,
making my way slowly through brush,
I came upon an unlikely hut,
and a woman in the doorway,
hoe in hand, watching my approach.
"Which way to the road?" I asked.
She studied me silently.
"Which," I started to ask again, louder.
"Just keep on," she interjected.
Before I could say, "Which direction?"
she stepped back and
closed the door.

Case adapted from Robert Aitken; introduction and verse by Meredith Garmon

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