Brambles, Entanglements, and Music

"If you know the music

the moment the violin string

begins to vibrate,

then you know how

to navigate through the forest

of brambles and entanglements

with freedom and ease.

If, on the other hand,

you think that with practice

the forest of brambles and entanglements

will altogether disappear,

then right from the beginning

you are hopelessly entangled

and won't find your way."

- John Daido Loori

(1931 - 2009)