Sunday Morning Ponderables

The sun and the moon are always bright,
yet if they are covered by clouds, although
above they're bright, below they are
darkened, and the sun, moon, stars and
planets cannot be seen clearly. But if
suddenly the wind of wisdom should blow
and roll away the clouds and mists, all forms
in the universe appear at once. The purity of
the nature of man in this world is like the
blue sky; wisdom is like the sun, knowledge
like the moon. Although knowledge and
wisdom are always clear, if you cling to
external environments, the floating clouds of
false thoughts will create a cover and your
own natures cannot become clear.

(Excerpt taken from Sayings and Tales of Zen Buddhism: Reflections for Every Day by William Wray)