“A Vest Can’t Be Inside Out Until You Put It On”
And other Zen lessons my vest has taught me
Vests, especially puffy vests, are SO popular these days – is there a reason for this sleeveless madness besides people wanting hot cores and cold arms? Is it that vests are the wisest of garments, and, if we simply pay enough Zen Attention to them, they can teach us Zen lessons? Because these are the lessons that my vest has taught me – and I got it on sale.
Things will never fall out of your vest pockets because they have zippers – unless you forget to zip them up.
The chest pocket is meant to hold something in particular – but everyone has their own idea what that particular thing is.
Anything, including wedding gowns, swim suits – or nothing – can be worn under a vest.
Holes in vests – where sleeves begin in other garments – remind us that the obviously unnecessary in our lives is connected to emptiness.
When meditating upon your view of someone else wearing a vest – remember that a vest is more likely to be part of a planned overall look versus just wearing a jacket grabbed on the way out the door.
All things begin Somewhere – and the original term for the ancient, dated, thin version of today’s vest is a waistcoat.
Vests can be worn anywhere, even to formal events such as weddings and funerals, but – if you plan to wear it under a suit – it is wiser to wear the ancient waistcoat version.
Vests may be worn while participating in any activity, from skiing to softball – however, when contemplating swimming, you should opt to wear the life vest.
Vests embody the idea that they can be worn by anyone because no one really agrees on how one should fit – other than slipping your arms through the holes while putting it on – and making sure that it’s not inside out.
Rick Doehring
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