As the week comes to an end and I look back over the last year or so, I notice that the combination of Haiku, travels, and such seems to be lacking something. While contemplating on this, I realized that if I am going to present the Retreat as a place of mediation and contemplation, then I should at least add something of the old masters.
Koans are short sayings, phrases, parables, riddles, or stories meant to elicit thought or enlightenment. Each source has a differing opinion and how to present these koans. For myself, I present here a Tale of Two Views.
On one hand, we have Master Raven. Intellectual, Paradoxal, given to flights of whim and wonder, Master Raven sees the world through the lens of high thought, sometimes clashing ideals, and infectious mirth.
On the other side, we have Brother Bear. Wise, stolid, as at home enjoying life or working in toil, Brother Bear often sits apart from the rest of the world, seeing it from the outside and wondering in which direction it will go.
Both live (as symbols if nothing else) in the Retreat and have decided to offer up their own brand of wisdom, enlightenment, and debate. While both understand that Rev. Panda is given the task and path of seeing to the Retreat, the pair is not above offering their own brand of wisdom.
NOTE: While this may seem somewhat fantastical, it is meant to be presented as a ongoing narrative between sometimes opposing, sometimes complementary views. Master Raven and Brother Bear are to meant to be real or inspire worship in any way, they are simply symbolic representations.
Xiong Nai Xin Retreat 
Share Your Insight