Struggles - Ten Ox Herding - Part 4

Struggles - Ten Ox Herding - Part 4 - Art Print / Framed Print.

Surviving hundreds of horrendous wipeouts will give you the strength that is required to break through the walls that surround your true mind.

Although, the struggle to face these high walls that were created as a result of countless desires and egos might still be present. So you must hold on tight to the true mind, so it does not slip away.

About the Ten Ox Herding project

This project is a collaboration with my friend Shinji Asai. It is a surfer's search of the true nature of the mind, based on the story from "Ten Ox Herding".

Ten Bulls or Ten Ox Herding is a series of short poems and accompanying drawings used in the Zen tradition to describe the stages of a practitioner's progress toward enlightenment and her or his return to society to enact wisdom and compassion.

Shinji wrote the story in Japanese for each step:

得牛
恐れ、誘惑、自我。大波に立ち向かう行為は
己との戦いでも有る　大口に開けて襲いかかる波に
挑んでは　いともたやすく弾き飛ばされ
身体と精神を削られながら　挑み続ける
いつしか自我は研ぎ澄まされ　純粋の境地を得る
獰猛だったはずの波が　優しく我が身を包んだ


and Tim Crowe translated it into English:

"Hundreds of wipeouts and falls give you the strength to break down the walls that surround your true mind. Although, the struggle can build higher walls, constructed of desires and egos. Hold on tight to the true mind, or else it may well slip away."

The Kanji and stamp is made by Shinji's brother Junichi Asai.

The print: Gallery quality archival Giclee prints on Jonas favourite paper - Hahnemühle Photo Rag, a white, 100% cotton paper with a smooth surface texture. Available with or without a matte/ border, and with or without a black/ white wood frame.