With Body or Without - Meditating with Han Shan on Cold Mountain

This poem by Han Shan strikes me as one of the finest poems about meditation I’ve yet to come across.  Sitting atop of Cold Mountain, Han Shan literally and spiritually became one with his surroundings. As he describes the experience, spirit separates from flesh, in a joyful celebration of meditative death.

* * * *

With body or without
Endowed with self or
Once again unbounded

In this way
Thoughts come and go
As for a long while
Under this rock ledge
I sit completely relaxed

My foot extends lifeless
Amidst these shoots
Of soft green grass
Here at the very summit
The mortal world
Falls into decay

And following
The custom
Among mankind
Fresh wines and fruits
Are now bestowed
Upon the deathbed

 *  *  *  *  *

有身与无身
是我复非我
如此审思量
迁延倚岩坐
足间青草生
顶上红尘堕
已见俗中人
灵床施酒果