Ministry of Animals

all the holy ones talk about a life of simplicity.

and thus we monks train daily for it.

simplicity  –

that much discussed and misunderstood holy poverty…

which is in turn the state of non-attachment ……

.

in training the smallest dog,

just like in training myself –

i look to find what reinforces the desired behaviors,

what creates that cascade of chemicals in our brains…

and yet also lives in our hearts –

creating webs of complex connections –

communities of behaviors….

.

simple.

.

so i buy a can of easy cheese.

and the smallest of dogs is terrified of it.

.

nothing simple is ever easy.