an image and a story this winter morning...

Once a samurai came to a Zen teacher because he wanted to know about heaven and hell. “Get out of here!” the teacher shouted. “You are far too stupid to understand anything I could teach you!” Overcome with rage, the samurai reached for his sword. “That’s hell,” said the teacher quietly. “Come have tea with me and we’ll begin.” The samurai instantly relaxes. “And that’s heaven,” the teacher said.