Though I try to bow to him,

He does not remain before me

As an object of my worship.

I built an altar out of straw 

but the wind blew it away.

So I bowed to the wind.

Not allowing any sense of difference to persist, 

he demolishes the

identity of a "disciple" 

and in the process demolishes the identity of a "Guru"

Then I built an altar out of ice, 

but the sun came out and melted it.

So I bowed to the sun.

How wonderful is his compassion.

He has manifested duality

In the form of Guru and disciple

Where there is not even a place for one.

I built an altar out of sand, 

but the tide came in and washed it away.

So I bowed to the ocean.

The words, "Guru" and "disciple"
refer to but one;

The Guru alone exists, as both these forms.

Then who to teach, 

who to aid, 

who to abet?

I built an altar with a mirror, 

and all I saw was you, 

so I bowed to the reflection

The Guru

Whose action-lessness is absolute,

Without any trace of activity, 

is all there is.

All thoughts of an altar disappeared.

And I bowed for no reason.

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