In the middle

Hi.

Life is endless. We are all in the very middle of it. We alone are responsible. There is no way out except through it.

–Ajahn Sumano Bhikkhu with Emily Popp, from Meeting the Monkey Halfway

As a very good friend of mine always says,The goal is "here".
But is there an "there"?
And can there be a middle without anything surrounding it?
There is a famous koan which states "please hand that one to me"...

Yaoshan's "this Buddha, That Buddha"

Monastic Zun was at the assembly of yaoshan and was the head altar attendant.
While he was bathing Buddha images, Yaoshan asked him, "have you bathed this one or have you bathed that one?"
Zun said, "please hand that one to me."
Yaoshan stopped.

- Case 86, Dogen's true dharma eye

And it is a very important point.

May the force be with you
Fugen