Stephen has been collecting a few dialogues between us, which he calls "Katie koans." I don't know anything about the Zen tradition—or about any other spiritual tradition, for that matter—but he says that these delight him like the dialogues of the ancient Chinese Zen masters. He loves being the "straight man."
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Once, shortly after he met me, Stephen was returning to our restaurant table from the men’s room.
Katie: Did you have a wonderful time?
Stephen: (Silence, dumbfounded, dazzled.)
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Out walking on a spring day in Aspen, Colorado.
Katie: Don’t you love what the wind says as it moves among the branches?
Stephen: What does it say?
Katie: Nothing. That’s what I love about it.
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Introducing him to a friend:
Katie: This is my husband, Stephen. He still thinks he’s Jewish.
(Stephen breaks into a smile.)
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After we both got pneumonia vaccine shots, I read to Stephen a flyer that warned, “As with any medicine, there is a very small risk that serious problems, even death, could occur after getting a vaccine.”
Stephen (smiling): I hope you don’t die.
Katie: You don’t ever wish me well, do you?
Stephen: I’m so selfish.
Comments (10)
Katie, you say that we always have what we need, not what we think we need but at the same time I heard you saying that in order to know our thoughts we need to look around. So, if what we have is a result of our thoughts and what we have is what we need why would there be the need to question our thoughts? Thank you.
Posted by poli | October 22, 2009 11:27 AM
Posted on October 22, 2009 11:27
Dear Katie,
Thank you for these Koans..They are a Delight...
Thank you for being who you are...
Tara
Posted by Tara | October 19, 2009 7:54 PM
Posted on October 19, 2009 19:54
Dear Katie
I love your blog! There should be more regular entries -
1. IS that true?! ha ha!
Yes.
2. Can I absolutely know that is true?
Um, no I can't.
3. How do I behave/react when I believe that thought?
Frustrated, annoyed, impatient.
4. Who would I be without that thought?
Relaxed, enjoying the entries in the moment.
4. The turnaround: there shouldn't be more regular entries - is that as true or truer - YES
Are there other turnarounds?
Posted by Nick | October 15, 2009 2:45 PM
Posted on October 15, 2009 14:45
I love these Katie. Keep them coming. I love u soooo much
Posted by Srividya | October 5, 2009 12:06 PM
Posted on October 5, 2009 12:06
Dear Katie,
thank you so much. Once again I smile and feel happy and easy while reading here your blog. Thank you for being and teaching! You are a blessing for me.
With love
Martina
Posted by Martina | September 27, 2009 11:48 AM
Posted on September 27, 2009 11:48
I can just see the two of you in a comic strip. So cute!
Posted by Len | September 25, 2009 10:51 PM
Posted on September 25, 2009 22:51
These are wonderful and so exemplify what I love about Katie and The Work. Thanks for sharing this intimate slice of life.
Posted by Colleen | September 24, 2009 1:50 PM
Posted on September 24, 2009 13:50
Beautiful! They help me stay tuned to the unborn. Please more.
Posted by Vera van de Vaate | September 24, 2009 1:17 AM
Posted on September 24, 2009 01:17
you know what-the wind told me it was in Looooove ! Is that Really true ? Yes ! And I love you Byron !
namaste
BOb
Posted by Bob | September 22, 2009 9:57 AM
Posted on September 22, 2009 09:57
These are wonderful Katie!
Please keep them coming!
These are a pure delight to me.
Debbie
Posted by Debbie Park | September 17, 2009 11:06 AM
Posted on September 17, 2009 11:06