Short story: Zen humour. A koan is also a form of a joke.

Yes, I guess that's right, as we are no longer attached to the owning of anything, and so attaching some of our freedom to that ownership too.

@DocAndersen I would agree that no dog owner would consider their dogs as property. but would they try to control their dogs, to restrict their freedom? The idea of control is also an interesting one. We try to control when we can't control. As soon as we try to control anything, though, we let go of truth, and move across to fantasy, as we do not want to be out of control, and so invent ways to obtain a sense of control again, like bringing God into it as the ultimate controller of all. So, all remains in control for us because we add back the controller, the missing controlling aspect that we need for us to feel secure, and not insecure. And yet when we do this we are trying to control God with our minds, rather than letting him be himself, love, in our hearts, and real love never works from control, but from freedom. We can't control from love, and yet love will often bring conformity into those we love too. Our dogs will stay controlled when they feel the love that we have for them too.

@innertalks owning or being owned by something is of course an interesting problem. Dogs, in many parts of the world are considered property. But I do not know a single dog owner that would in fact consider dogs property.

Thanks, siva. That's a perceptive comment. Yes, maybe I should have said that he had two dogs, but as you said, a meditating dog, is really two dogs in one. I have always liked that quote of Sir Isaac's too. It has a certain ring of humility about it that rings so true.

@innertalks Thanks Steve, I recall Ramakrishna's quote: "Spirituality automatically leads to humility. When a flower develops into a fruit, the petals drop off on their own. When one becomes spiritual, the ego vanishes gradually on its own. A tree laden with fruits always bends low. Humility is a sign of greatness.". I think God might have given different perceptions to different species that we are not even aware of. The beauty in creation is the part we all play, subconsciously even, to fill the gaps to keep the process going. There should be back-ups too when one fails to live up to expectations.

@Shiva49 Yes, l have seen jewellery made, featuring that tree, and other trees too, like the Biblical tree of life. I am inclined to agree with you that every part of creation plays it's own role, for God, and for itself, and for all others too. Connection is the key to life, and love is the key to use to fully make that connection with.

@innertalks

Yes, God certainly loves each one if us with the same fullness of his love too, and yet he gives each one of us certain individualised gifts, and unique missions for him too.

Yes, l agree. Freedom is more important than most other things in our lives. We can't do much in a restricted state. Zen frees our mind so that we do not restrict the free flow of life and love in us, and in our lives.