It is always the dragon! There is a famous lore called the “Dragon’s Gate” that is used in Zen often. For those of you who are not familiar with the story, I will offer a quick explanation. The lore takes place in rural China up
on the Yellow River; this is a real location. In this story there are countless carp which spawn every year within the river. After swimming countless miles upstream, they gather at a deep pool at the foot of a waterfall called the “Dragon’s Gate”. The carp give pause there, while building their fortitude for one last struggle to summit the Dragons Gate. It is all or nothing! It is said that late at night, in the midst of the bright summer moon, the golden carp unify, mounting for one last battle. Most will fail, even after weeks of struggle they will give up and swim back down to the mild valley waters. However, there are a few who remain poised for the attack. They build so much energy, they begin to glow with a brilliant golden light. In a blinding flash, they travel up the falls will so much power that they breach the water’s surface and sail into the heavens. They sail so high they garner the attention of the gods. The gods are so moved by the golden carp’s perseverance; they strike them with a lightning bolt thus transforming the few into dragons! As the radiant and powerful dragons begin their descent, they are once again transformed back into a ordinary carp as they return to the water. It is always the the powerful dragon that gets the awe! After 30 years of practice, I know now it is not the dragon who weilds the diamond sword, but the simple carp. Upon returning to the waters of the everyday, the carp is at peace with the changing currents. He looks and acts according to the necessity of the present. He hides his head and horn, yet there is something odd that is unmistakable about him. I give you warning, take a second, third and fourth look! This ordinary fellow is quite extraordinary. It is the carp!