Froglessness, a poem by Thich Nhat Hanh

Froglessness



The first fruition of the practice

is the attainment of froglessness.



When a frog is put

on the center of the plate,

she will jump out of the plate

after just a few seconds.



If you put the frog back again

on the center of the plate,

she will again jump out.



You have so many plans.

There is something you want to become.

Therefore you always want to make a leap,

a leap forward.



It is difficult

to keep the frog still

on the center of the plate.



You and I

both have Buddha Nature in us.

This is encouraging,

but you and I

Both have Frog Nature in us.



That is why

the first attainment

of the practice –

froglessness is its name.



Thich Nhat Hanh.