Paradoxical dialogue between a Zen Master and his apprentice,
Monk: Where is the road?
Master: Straight ahead.
Monk: Why can't I see it?
Master: That, young man, is because you have an ego.
Monk: If I cannot see it because of my ego, is it visible to you, my master?
Master: As long as you place your ego and nonego at contrasting positions, you are simply switching them from subject to object. You will never see, no matter how hard you try.
Monk: So then if I rid myself of my ego and nonego, will I be able to see?
Master: If you did not have an ego or nonego, the road could not possibly be an issue the, could it?
by focusing on the road, the monk is alienating his self (ego/subject) from the road (nonego/object), thus making it eternally impossible to see that road. When you reach for the road it will disappear. But that road will not become yours unless you reach for it. This is the paradox that must be accepted in order to see the entire picture as one.
source: dentsu/guru-guru article.
