We are not separate from each other and the world just because we seem to be within our conditioning, anxieties, and society. The “Right” view is an observation that there is no subject and object. I have come to understand the concept of “Rightness” (in speech, action, spiritual practice, etc.) as being undivided. It is speaking to total authenticity related to what is harmonious with unity. To me this poem is about that very kind of sincerity. It is a sincere and humble way to approach spirituality, to focus on similarities that unite rather than differences which create divides. It is a reminder that a nondualistic perspective is all encompassing and sees the underlying sameness of all beings and every possible realm of existence.

It is very interesting that Thomas Merton found so many parallels to his own devotion of Christian practice by way of being a Catholic monastic. Although Taoism is very hard to track historically the sentiments of it reverberated into Chan Buddism in China which later became Zen Buddhism in Japan. In reading and contemplating these poems they certainly resonate with my own study of Taoist philosophy. That is high praise indeed for Merton, and it is yet another contemporary stamp of approval for Chuang Tzu as well. Since my meeting with him, and so often when I examine myself, I really follow some of his examples.” So, as a close friend- or as his brother- I always remember him, and I always admire his activities and his life-style. “As for myself, I always consider myself as one of his Buddhist brothers. In a speech that ended up being a forward to the re-printing of Merton’s 1965 book, The Way of Chuang Tzu (which this poem is published in) he said: In 1996, the Dalai Lama spoke at the Abbey of Gethsemani, where Merton had spent his time of practice as a monk. His readings were English, French, and German translations and he took vigorous notes combined with internal reflection in order to make his best guesses at their meanings. He spent five full years reading, studying, and meditating on the collective works of Chuang Tzu. Thomas Merton was an American Trappist monk who lived from 1915-1968. He was embedded in the latter part of the classic period of Chinese philosophy. Chuang Tzu was a Taoist writer whose historical existence is claimed to be verified as circa 250 B.C.

Merton chuang tzu