In all this chasing after concepts of emptiness, it’s easy to lose sight of the essentials.
“Old Lady O-San” was an enlightened student of Zen master Tetsumon. She was later tested by Hakuin who posed the koan about one hand clapping. Ever the pragmatist she replied:
Rather than listen
to Hakuin’s sound
of one hand clapping,
clap both hands
and do business!
from Zen Antics: 100 Stories of Enlightenment transl. & ed. by Thomas Cleary
Shall we get on with our lives? What needs two hands to grasp, hold, hug, support?
Be kind, be sweet, take a stand, get grouchy, and if he’s not available go for dopey – he’s always been my favourite anyway.
See the universe through the reeds, the forest through the trees.
Thank you for practicing,
Genju
108zenbooks 
Old Lady O-San’s spirited answer to Hakuin reminds me a little of Zen Master Seung Sahn. When a student could perceive the “truth” of some kong-an situation, Dae Soen Sa Nim would then ask, “Wonderful! But how does the truth function?”
I wanted to ask that of you and Ted yesterday (as a humbled student who just doesn’t get it)! All this zen talk can get so conceptual… how does it boil down to holding out my hand with love?
Holding out your hand with love is how the truth functions. As Zen Master Seung Sahn also used to say (ad nauseum): Just do it!