Two Stories About Pearls
In Chuang Tzu's writings, translated by Thomas Merton, there is this interesting poem/parable I read and re-read a few times, pondering its meaning. It resonated with me and reminded me of a parable that Jesus taught (more on that in a bit). Here's the poem in its entirety: The Yellow Emperor went wandering To the north of the Red Water To the Kwun Lun mountain. He looked around Over the edge of the world. On the way home He lost his night-colored pearl. He sent out Science to seek his pearl, and got nothing. He sent Analysis to look for his pearl, and got nothing. He sent out Logic to seek his pearl, and got nothing. Then he asked Nothingness, and Nothingness had it! The Yellow Emperor said: "Strange, indeed: Nothingness Who was not sent Who did no work to find it Had the night-colored pearl!" You might wonder what this has to do with anything Devo-related, and I get that. Stick with me, though; there's so much good stuff in this. First, you must