Categories: Justin Stone: In His Words
Why: Why Not
By: Justin Stone
One time some students from out-of-town came to visit me. After doing some T’ai Chi Chih together, the conversation became more general. As is usual, someone asked about Re-incarnation (a bad term).
I pointed at the trees in the courtyard. “It is autumn now, so the leaves are falling from the trees,” I explained, “but they will be back in the Spring. Is that what you mean by Re-incarnation?”
“Oh, those will be different leaves!” they rushed to point out.
“Why identify with the leaves?” I asked. “Why not identify with the Tree?”
* * *
The Winter ’86 Vital Force had so much meat in it, so much sharing for us to digest! Thank you, Corinn. I believe all teachers should share their experiences and sentiments—why just take and not give?
– Justin Stone
Carmel, CA
Originally appeared in: Spring 1986