Fish hooks, shenpa & stumbling down the goodness trail

I should have known when I interviewed two Zen practitioners that the first thing they would do is question me. In my meeting with Zen Master Stanley Lombardo and Dharma Master Judy Roitman, they questioned everything: This project’s goal. My motivation.

When they first confronted me, their words felt like long, barbed whips tangled in my legs. I teetered and strained to keep my balance. Now as I listen to the recording while transcribing the interview, I hear myself struggling. At one point, I replied testily: “I’m not going to get sidetracked.”

But they kept questioning. Finally, Stan asked: “Why do you feel that you personally have to be good in order to write this?” Read More.