Reddit reviews A Zen Wave: Basho's Haiku & Zen

I've actually studied Haiku with a Haiku master. I'll explain a little bit of the background on what makes a Haiku a Haiku, and then write one.

A Haiku actually doesn't confine itself to 5-7-5. Most Americans realize this was a mechanism built primarily for the Japanese language, so English haiku usually have a few more syllables. There are three lines, each with a specific function; the first line being to preface the the Haiku. The second and third lines make up the core of a Haiku, and the juxposition between the two is what makes a Haiku a Haiku. This is, believe it or not, the most famous Haiku in Japan, written by one of the greatest Haiku Masters, Basho.

The old pond;

A frog jumps in —

The sound of the water.

So the first line, 'The Old Pond,' sets the scene. It's a little foreign to try and truly grasp a Haiku, but it can be thought of, in the primary sense, as profound. Secondary, is literate. Never intellectual, but often metaphorical. It's as if a Haiku exist in between the lines. There isn't really a lot of going on 'behind' as there is 'in' the Haiku. An old pond. Drying leaves and the smell of grass, a cool evening, a light breeze. Stillness.

The second line, 'A frog jumps in --' is a verb. There are many translations, and usually Haiku masters translate best, but this one will do. Does the observant notice it? It would seem so. Rather simple. A frog jumping in is rather quick. If you've ever seen on, it's usually within a split second. It's borderline menial.

And the third, 'the sound of water,' brings the Haiku to life. What? You say. Well notice what happens between this and the second line. Haiku's have a deep connection and history with the Zen religion, of Rinzai and Soto. As it where, what is the sound of one hand clapping? A Haiku is almost thought of as a Koan. The sound of water is the experiencer realizing the Haiku, the moment of expectation and sudden transformation, the true intention of the artist. Imagine a child hearing a sound for the first time, or playing peek-a-boo. Perhaps, it's similar to an 'Oh!' moment. To truly understand a Haiku takes deeper inner contemplation, for the haiku is the reader himself.

It's as if the canvas is the pond, set for the reader to fill himself with. Stillness, tradition, ancient. A frog leaps, and from deep silence -- the sound of water. How could one fathom?

So, I'll do my best to write one. It's been a while, so I'll keep it short. This is after all night playing video games.

Light through the blinds

My cigarette, the ashtray

Is overfilling

For more information, read one of the best explanations of Haiku around, A Zen Wave by Robert Aitken.

Anyway, I hope that was enlightening. My steam ID is Mr. Sir Pancakes Dubois. I'd really like Arma, which might be able to play on my laptop, but if not, Original War looks really cool.

Edit: On second thought, Original Wars would be my first choice! Arma's second :)

My uncle recommended a few Buddhist-based books to me:

Only Don't Know: Selected Teaching Letters of Zen Master Seung Sahn (http://www.amazon.com/Only-Dont-Know-Selected-Teaching/dp/1570624321)

A Zen Wave: Basho's Haiku and Zen (http://www.amazon.com/Zen-Wave-Bashos-Haiku/dp/083480137X)

My uncle is a really smart guy who identifies as atheist. He also recommended the following as books that helped him in his journey:

Antifragile: Things that Gain from Disorder (http://www.amazon.com/Antifragile-Things-That-Gain-Disorder/dp/1400067820)

From Dawn to Decadence (http://www.amazon.com/From-Dawn-Decadence-Western-Cultural/dp/0060928832)

Beowulf, Seamus Heaney translation (http://www.amazon.com/Beowulf-Verse-Translation-Bilingual-Edition/dp/0393320979)

The Iliad, Robert Fagles translation (http://www.amazon.com/Iliad-Penguin-Classics-Deluxe-Edition/dp/0140275363/)

The Odyssey, Robert Fagles translation (http://www.amazon.com/The-Odyssey-Homer/dp/0140268863)