READ,WRITE & LIVE YOUR TRUTH

Month: February 2025

  • The Time We Have

    E.G. Kardos

    “I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo. “So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”

    ― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

    The Time We Have

    If you have read any of the books or watched any of the movies, The Lord of The Rings is a powerful saga. Yes, I said it—saga. Tolkien was masterful with the entirety of the story but what I find wondrous is that all the bits and pieces along the way are full of flavor and are stories in themselves. They are powerful all on their own. 

    The quote above is part of a brief conversation between Gandalf and Frodo. If you haven’t read the books or watched the movies, you may still appreciate its depth as it is rich with meaning whether in or out of the story.

    These fifty-one words are all about humanity’s age old divide between those who seek power and those who seek to live the life they were meant to live.

    The powerful, many times, feed off the destruction of their own making only to disrupt humanity to, well, gain more power. I’m in the camp that power based in love, compaaion and insight lifts humanity.

    Each sentence in this quote is revealing. this is how I look at it.

    Frodo says… I wish it need not have happened in my time

    Although Frodo is a Hobbit, he expresses a very human feeling we all, at some time feel. Every so often this feeling results from a natural phenomenon like an earthquake or a hurricane, but most of the time, it results from man and his intentional actions. War would be a big one as would dehumanizing those who are not like us.

    History is full of men who overreach to claim power and control. By doing so, those who seek to live their lives the best they can and how they see fit are whipped into colossal, turbulent waves. They get caught in the wake of the murky froth of the power-hungry and their dark and self-serving decisions. 

    Humanity and everything about how we live is dualistic. We have good, so there is bad; we have love, so there is hate; we have the rich, so we must have the poor, and so on. Power without love, compasion or insight exists to prey on the weak…the poor…or those deemed as unworthy.

    What is imagined in the mind can become a reality.

    The above neutral statement is easily corrupted when the cunning manipulator is searching for a “treasure” that benefits the few. If only those who sought power also sought good.

    Gandalf follows his statement and says…So do I

    These three words show empathy. The experienced and wise wizard has seen much in his long life, but it is with his experience that his empathy flows naturally. More importantly, it is soothing—it is healing.

    He is reafirming in these three words. He offers, as all good teachers do, a broder view with what he says next.

    …and so do all who live to see such times. 

    We search for answers — for perspective. As long as humans have roamed the planet they have, from time to time, created devatation. The wise teacher reminds young Frodo (and us too) that we are not alone. 

    But Gandalf goes on to say…But that is not for them to decide. 

    When we realize that most of us feel the same way, our imagination, too, may shape what is next. With the hard truth, Gandalf moves Frodo away from taking a turn into self-despair as self-despair is exactly what the powerful want from those they wish to control.

    He helps Frodo to focus when he says,

    …All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.

    When outside forces suffocate us, will we find the spark within us to take charge of our next step…and then the second step… and then…

    Simply, we are not alone. We always have help. We always have hope. And with that, it is us who decide what to do with the time that is given us.

    …you may also like, It’s All Created In the Mind

    About E.G. Kardos

    I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write.  Here’s more about me and my books.

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  • Who is the Zen Master?

    E.G. Kardos

    I remember a day many years back. It was probably 2005.  The sun shone bright as I was driving somewhere.  The volume on my car radio was up a few extra notches.  Totally at ease, I belted out the song on the radio. I approached a traffic light and continued singing as an onlooker on one side in another car smiled while those on the opposite side poked fun at my expense.  But at all the traffic stops along the way, most, I observed, didn’t even notice my performance as their cell phones appeared to be permanently affixed to their ears. They weren’t there.

    By the time I arrived at my destination, I determined that this was now the norm. People were yakking on their phones pretty much all the time. I assumed they all wanted to be somewhere other than where they were at that moment.

    A butterfly rests on wildflowers in a tranquil natural setting in Türkiye.

    Thinking like a Zen Master

    I reflected more on this situation. Why do we attach ourselves to things? They are terribly unimportant. Just think about it; if we would only listen to ourselves, we might begin to realize what is truly important. I concluded that folks, me included, who rely on so many external devices to get through the day need something more.

    Photo by Objektifin_gordugu

    If we paused for a moment now and then and listened quietly to the story within us, we might surprise ourselves. 

    Then again, what if we listened to others too? I mean really listen to what they say and what they are all about.

    Answers We Seek

    I’m sorry to say that tuning our people because we are busy on our devices is not so unusual these days, but if we stopped what we were doing and paid attention to others, we might find the answers to our questions, even those questions that are firmly in us, but we don’t dare ask. 

    If we let go of things and replace them with people, and we listen, wouldn’t we be on the path to a more fulfilling life?  I think so.

    This is why stories are so important. They help us realize that humanity strives for the same things. We see that we are all connected and spiritual beings, regardless of our faith tradition.  

    The Zen Master is in our Stories

    It’s all in stories. In stories, we discover that we understand ourselves a little more, and by doing so, we understand others.  We find that we are a compassionate people—we must be.

    Ancient but Relevant

    In 2008 I decided to write stories about everyday people doing everyday things that led them to more.

    Parables, Zen stories, and other tales explore age-old ideas but remain relevant as we detach ourselves from what is undoubtedly unimportant, distracting, and troublesome. 

    What may seem obvious to some may be quite tricky to grasp. My stories are relevant and timely, as many of us long to live inspired lives. You know I’m right about this.    

    My writing, which became Zen Master Next Door, serves as a tool worth sharing. 

    Why a tool? 

    Between the truth and us lies a dense thicket of thorns and brush. But with the right tools, it is much easier to navigate. One way to make it through the brush unscathed is to recognize the “Zen Master” who may be closer to us than we think.

    Although first publihsed seventeen years ago, these stories could’ve been written today. What we find in ourselves and those around us has endured and will continue to live as long as humans dwell on this planet.

    We can look within ourselves and see our reflection in these parables.  Zen Master Next Door: Parables for Enlightened Everyday Living aims to show us that we can discover similar stories of inspiration within ourselves.  In each parable, I hope the reader reflects on how each character and circumstance relates to their own life.

    We all possess great stories to share.  I am sharing mine.

    Based on truth, these parables are the epitome of fiction, as the guts of storytelling are the essence of truth. 

    They –

    are gentle but strong. 

    embrace but let go. 

    are simple but complex. 

    They are, of course, parables.

    You may also like the post: A Little Known Zen Story on Friendship

    About E.G. Kardos

    I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write.  Here’s more about me and my books.

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  • It’s Created by the Mind

    E.G. Kardos

    The reality that we navigate daily appears to be, well, real. On the surface, wouldn’t you say that we can count on it? It’s here to last, right? We certainly can’t mistake what’s fake for reality. Oh really? Man certainly does mistake “what is fake or made up” for what is real. It’s hard to miss this one as it is a daily occurance, but that’s for another post. As far as “counting on reality” or reality is “here to last”, I’m just not sure of that either. Suffice it to say, humans shape reality like it or not. I think Plato hit it on the nose when he said, “The reality is created by the mind.

    My leaning on the subject is that “… Nothing lasts forever but the Earth and Sky… “ as the rock band, Kansas, wrote and sang in their hit, Dust in the Wind. Great song. So that’s the way I lean. Unless it is the Earth or the sky, I’m not so sure we can count on it or that it’s here to last. After all, very few physical and nonphysical realities that man has originated have truly lasted. Humans are pretty good at making new tools over time and those in power create social constructs–some last for a while.

    Photo by Michelle LeBlanc

    Created by the mind

    Reality, both in physical and nonphysical reality (like social constructs), is the product of the minds of humans over the millions of years. Other than what comes from the natural world, everything else started as an idea in someone’s head—good or bad. It’s all fantasy until we take an idea and build it.

    Cell phones don’t grow in the wild.

    Just an aside…man has been an expert on how to create a war, but not so good at creating a reality that eliminates them. Perhaps we are still lacking in some areas. This is a little heavy for this post, but it is a clear example that man creates his own reality–for himself and everyone under his control.

    My family and I like to go to the mountains and escape from the craziness of life. On a recent trip I remember sitting on the cabin’s porch in an old rocking chair. I was looking out to the mountains, the stream and a setting sun. A thought popped into my head. I thought that everything that was in front of me was truly real and untainted. As that thought became louder in my head so did another.  Where I sat and all behind me (the cabin and everything in it) was only “real” because man had a thought and did something about it. For example, he might have said, “I want to sit on something other than the ground.” From that, came the first chair. It suddenly became real – it is now part of reality. Fast forward to cell phones–same thing.

    I still think that the sky, the mountains, and the stream are my reality of choice but I assume they don’t measure up for some folks. It’s what I value. The stuff we own, not so much.

    Taking a stake in what’s created by the mind

    The communities we live in didn’t just happen. Someone or some group thought about what they wanted to do, and they built it—urban, suburban, and rural. This all seems very obvious. I remind myself it’s fine for others’ reality to enter our life as that is how it is and our hope is that others’ intentions are good. But we should have a stake in our reality. In other words, we don’t have to be penned in by others’ reality everytime we turn around.

    One way to give us some control of our reality is as easy and as enjoyable as reading and writing. Both of these are solitary activities. So take control of what is real for you, and one way to do this is when we read or write.

    What?

    When we read fiction—any kind of fiction—it transports us. We to to another land—could be London in the 1880s, the Congo in the 1940s, a million light years in some other time or in a different parallel world to right now. 

    Wherever it takes us, it is for sure, taking us away into a reality of our choosing.

    If we allow ourselves, we are immersed into the author’s version of those places, times and situations. But best of all, through their eyes we now live in this fictional space. We become part of the fabric of the tale. We are given freedom to interpret what we read. It is us who give the words shapes, color, sounds, smells, taste, and know how it feels in our hands or beneath our feet. What a gift the author has given us.

    Our self expression is created by the mind

    I encourage people to not only read but to write—or to express themselves in the manner that best suits them. There are many wonderful options for expression. Dance, painting, sketching, photography, digital art, and the list goes on.

    When we express ourselves, we become the master of our own reality as we are in control and we’re calling the shots. 

    When Plato said, “The reality is created by the mind”, I think he meant that the world is best lived when we seek its meaning. We have the capacity to shape what’s in front of us—not just to passively let it go by. It’s less about making a chair or a cell phone but it’s about using our imagination to help us understand what is happening around us, and to find the meaning in our own lives.

    There’s something about knowing that nothing lasts forever except the earth and sky. I say let’s try to understand where we live and those who live here. That reality speaks to me.

    About E.G. Kardos

    I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write.  Here’s more about me and my books.

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  • A Little Known Zen Story on Friendship

    E.G. Kardos

    Among many, a single Zen story grabbed my attention. Many years ago, I received a book full of Zen stories entitled, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones. Paul Reps and Nyogen Senzaki compiled this book of stories that were first told in the 13th century by Japanese Zen master Mujū (無住) (“non-dweller”).

    At the time, this was all new to me so finding them all in one book was a treat for me.  As I mentioned, one story stood out.

    Zen Story

    Giving the reader or listener pause, a Zen story conveys profound insights about our existence and stimulates new perspectives. They are simple but deeply filled with rich symbolism. As we read they draw us in to the moment we are living in and encourage us to question our path in life.

    In particular, Zen story number 84, True Friends, stood out and was, and continues to be my favorite. As most Zen stories go, it is succinct and to the point, but it is powerful beyond all measures.

    More about the Zen Story, True Friends

    Of the many Zen stories, True Friends is unique among 101 tales. However, I wanted more on the sugject. I researched the “ultimate friendship” or “intimate friendship” in literature, especially among men, but what I found was surprisingly sparse. This seemed very odd to me, as friendships are vital to our existence.

    Yes, there is no formal union or vow for a friendship, but having the fortunate but infrequent occasion to connect with someone on a deeper level and create a bond is life-altering. The opposite, unfortunately, is equally profound.

    When writing my novel Cutting of Harp Strings, I searched the internet for more information about the Zen story True Friends. There too, I found very little. I wanted to dig deeper and gain as many perspectives as I could both in literary works and other Zen stories but I came up short. If you know of another Zen story about true friendship, let me know in the comments section below.

    It was then that I realized that my story, the one I wrote, is the deeper view on friendship I was looking for. Of all places, it came from my pen and keyboard.

    Because this Zen story, as far as I can tell is just about unknown, I receive many questions about the title of my novel and its symbolism. I’d like to share this excerpt from the story as I think it answers those questions.

    “I would like to tell you a story, Eli. A very special story that an old Buddhist monk told me when I was just a little older than you. Not many know this, but I spent three years in a different sort of monastery.”

    “A Buddhist monk? What? That’s awesome Father.” We both smiled, and he continued.

    “A long time ago there were two friends, one who played the harp skillfully, and one who listened skillfully. When the one played a song about the mountains, the other would listen and say, ‘I’m on top of that mountain.’ And when the one played a song about the river, the other would say, ‘Here, right before us, is the running river.’ 

    One day the one who listened became ill and died. Out of love, the first friend cut the strings of his harp, and never played again.”

    I said nothing. Catching my attention, a squirrel scampered by and scurried up a tree. As my eyes followed him on his climb, the mountains appeared in full view.

    Much symbolism may be found in the above eighty-eight words, but I am especially moved reading,

    “…Out of love, the first friend cut the strings of his harp, and never played again.”

    If you like this post, you may be interested in Following Your Heart

    About E.G. Kardos

    I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write.  Here’s more about me and my books.

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    Please notify me when you publish a new blog post.

  • Keep Reading

    E.G. Kardos

    Keep reading. Whatever it is you read–keep reading. I have written and published literary fiction, fantasy, and short stories, but I’ve read books from various fiction and nonfiction categories. Most of the time, I confess, I read literary, general fiction, and fantasy and sprinkle in some nonfiction. I love variety. Don’t you?

    My mantra is whatever you like to read, keep reading it. At the same time, be open to new genres

    What You Read is Open to Interpetation

    fantasy, love, sea, child, nature, rocks, beach, sunset, interpreting fiction, magic behind reading, reading through a lens, reading across genres, stories as art. Importance of story, relationships between readers and characters

    As a writer of fiction, I believe all works of literature are open to interpretation. I completely encourage this. There’s magic behind reading, and it comes from taking the time to reflect on what we are reading.

    My best reads are those that give me something to think about.

    Non-fiction vs Fiction

    Non-fiction, for the most part, is less about interpreting the prose but about accepting or, sometimes, questioning the facts that are laid out in front of us. But nonfiction has broad categories as well. I’m thinking of self-help, how-to, historical accounts and biographies, and books on belief systems among many others.

    Even if you read non-fiction, you just can’t believe everything you read. It’s good to read a variety of non-fiction books about the same subject matter and by doing so, we gain rich perspectives. What’s important in my mind, is, however, whatever you like reading, keep reading.

    More about Fiction

    When you pick up a book, each story is new and fresh to us, and when we immerse ourselves into each paragraph, sentence, and word it is, of course, through our personal lens—and all the many relationships we have. This is among my favorite reasons to both keep reading and writing fiction.

    Fiction is about Relationships

    We are all about relationships. Not just relationships with humans, but relationships with animals and any living being including plants, trees, and insects – if you don’t believe me, many belief systems revere many different kinds of living beings. But we also have relationships with our earth, and our God, or not — depending upon what we believe.  We can’t forget our relationship with ourselves which I think is sometimes overlooked. 

    What did I miss?

    Given just this short list,  building, and sustaining relationships is a full-time job! It only goes to show that when we read literature, depending upon which relationships we value most, certain parts of a story mean different things to every reader. Reading fiction is a very personal undertaking unless you are on some kind of mission to read 500 books a year! But that’s a different sort of reading altogether.

    We are unique in every way and, perhaps, it is because of the way we view our existence.

    Just think about the reviews you’ve read. Some readers love a book while others hate it. Some readers identify an obscure part of a story and latch on to it while others miss that part altogether. We owe it to ourselves to invite differing opinions on the written word and if we do, perhaps more people will keep reading.

    Humans and our Love and Need of the Written Word

    There is nothing more human than the written word that we created many centuries ago. Yes, drawings, paintings, sculptures, and other forms of expression are vital and should be appreciated, but the written word does more and allows us to live among those in the story.

    Words allow us to tell the story of what it is to be human, to interpret it, and to realize that every emotion we feel today has been felt by millions before us, whether we were queens, farmers, or factory workers. This makes our relationships with each other all the more important.

    It is how the characters respond to what comes their way and our response to the character.

    When we think of all the genres in fiction, such as horror, mystery/crime, science fiction, thriller/suspense, romance, fantasy, western, historical, or young adult, every story depends on how the characters respond and react to their various relationships in their lives. This opens the magic door for us to eavesdrop and get drawn in. Yes, the plot is important, especially for specific genres, but even so it is all about how we interpret the relationships in the story.

    No matter what, keep reading.

    What do you think?

    About E.G. Kardos

    I am a fiction writer and the author of five books. My writing draws inspiration from the beauty surrounding us all—both in nature and in each other. Spirituality, friendship, love, and our connection to the universe inspire me to write.  Here’s more about me and my books.

    Latest Posts

    All Posts

    Please notify me when you publish a new blog post.
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