Wednesday, August 25, 2010

My latest diagnosis (for a swollen arm) is Thoracic Outlet Syndrome.

Sometimes, I feel like a less contented version of Master Yü:

"All at once Master Yü fell ill. Master Ssu went to ask how he was. 'Amazing!' said Master Yü. 'The Creator is making me all crookedy like this! My back sticks up like a hunchback and my vital organs are on top of me. My chin is hidden in my navel, my shoulders are up above my head, and my pigtail points at the sky. It must be some dislocation of the yin and yang!' Yet he seemed calm at heart and unconcerned. Dragging himself haltingly to the well, he looked at his reflection and said, 'My, my! So the Creator is making me all crookedy like this!'
" 'Do you resent it?' asked Master Ssu.
" 'Why no, what would I resent? If the process continues, perhaps in time he'll transform my left arm into a rooster. In that case I'll keep watch on the night. Or perhaps in time he'll transform my right arm into a crossbow pellet and I'll shoot down an owl for roasting. Or perhaps in time he'll transform my buttocks into cartwheels. Then, with my spirit for a horse, I'll climb up and go for a ride. What need will I ever have for a carriage again?
" 'I received life because the time had come; I will lose it because the order of things passes on."
-Zuangzi

1 comment:

Jeannie said...

That is quite a story of Master Yu! Hope the diagnoses leads to some ability to deal with the symptoms!