An ancient art

Four years, I was back home, a little dejected about the coming change in my life. I was scouting around for job prospects, in a hotel, and watching ESPN. They were showing repeats of the World Series of Poker. I thought, you must be kidding--who the hell is going to watch guys sitting around a table playing cards? But sit in front of the TV for a few minutes, and it's mesmerizing. All these people feeding off the table, and playing independently, banking on their skill, but hoping for a little luck. It was fascinating to watch the back-and-forth.

Zen has fascinated me for a while, its tenets of calm and peace, its universality. Meshing the two makes for something special. Larry W. Phillips wrote two books on the subjects, tying together two things that don't seem easily bound. I loaned out Zen, but still have the Tao. Either book is great for a quick lesson in how to be a card sharp, or to find a missing piece of life's puzzle. Turn to any page, and you'll find a nugget, a gem, to carry. Such as in Tao...

"When the opponent expands, I contract; and when he contracts, I expand. And when there is an opportunity, I do not hit, it hits all by itself."--Bruce Lee

or

"Throughout your life advance daily, becoming more skillful than yesterday, more skillful than today. This is never-ending."--Hagekure, by Tsunetomo

These are applicable everywhere. Seriously. At home, or in the casino.