What we tell ourselves about what has happened to 'us' is nothing more than a story fabricated from fractured memories, is it not? Think about it. Our ego makes up the stories where we are the hero, the villain, the victim and the trickster. It is all fictional. They are all fairy tales and cartoons in your head.
But don't let that disturb you too much. Master Neuman would just tell you to chill, have a good laugh and scratch your ass. I believe Ikkyu and Bankei would have read Mad Magazine and perhaps would even place a copy on their altars...or used it to stuff their zafus.
Master Neuman's greatest Koan is, "What, Me Worry?" Contemplate it and may it's teaching penetrate to the marrow of your bones.
Hands palm to palm,
Shinzen
