Still Climbing Struggle Mountain

Mike Essig
1 min readJan 17, 2017

Han-Shan got it right:

the fewer people,
the fewer distractions;
welcome visitors,
but discourage guests.

Drink to ecstasy,
but not remorse.

Let your children
lead their own lives.

Expect nothing
from anyone;
you will never
be disappointed.

Assume that death
waits outside
right now,
holding your car keys.

Keep your nose
on the cosmic grindstone;

keep you fingers
on the Dharma throttle;

place preparedness
for the Bardo
at the top
of your to-do list:

nothing, but this
solitary moment,
is guaranteed.

If you like this piece, and can afford it, please consider sending me a buck or two at Paypal. Help keep the dead walking!

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Mike Essig

Honorary Schizophrenic. Recent refugee. Displaced person. Old white male. Confidant of cassowaries.