# Inversion Koan Workbook - Link: https://clearingintheforest.org/inversion-koan-workbook/ - Published: 2026-10-17T20:37:36+00:00 - Author: Saal_clearingforest [ 馃尣 A clearing in the forest ](https://clearingintheforest.org/) [ All pages ](https://clearingintheforest.org/?page_id=267#pages) # Inversion Koan Workbook Don't ask how to succeed. Ask how to fail for certain, then stop doing that. Go through the five steps in order. The koan beside each step is there to unsettle what you think you already know. Koan 路 Zhaozhou A monk asked, "Does a dog have Buddha-nature?" Zhaozhou said: "Mu." Is your problem even the problem? Answer it, then refuse your answer. 1 ## Turn the problem into a goal A problem is a complaint. A goal says what "solved" looks like, with a number and a date. The problem, as you'd say it to a colleague The goal: what, how much, by when Koan 路 Huineng Two monks argued: the flag moves, the wind moves. "Neither," said Huineng. "Your mind moves." Which of these failures are out there, and which are you? 2 ## How would you guarantee failure? List the real habits, errors and shortcuts that would wreck the goal. One per line. Be honest about the ones you already do. Real ways to fail Koan 路 Hakuin Two hands clap and there is a sound. What is the sound of one hand? The absurd answer is still an answer. Write the one you'd be embarrassed to say out loud. 3 ## Now fail absurdly The most ridiculous ways to fail you can think of: Wonderland, the Hundred Acre Wood, science fiction. Silly failures often point at a real one hiding underneath. One per line. Preposterous ways to fail Koan 路 Nan-in The professor's cup overflowed. "Like this cup, you are full of your own opinions. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?" Removing is harder than adding. What will you stop doing? 4 ## Remove the negatives For each way to fail, write the rule that stops it. Write the real lesson behind the absurd ones too. Leave a row blank if it doesn't apply. Koan 路 Mumon Show me your original face, before your father and mother were born. Before the goal existed, what was the first thing that had to happen? 5 ## Work backward from the goal Start at the finished goal. What had to be true just before that? And before that? Keep going until you reach something you can do this week. One step per line, last step first. Steps in reverse Koan 路 Zhaozhou "I have just entered the monastery. Please teach me." "Have you eaten your rice?"" Yes." "Then wash your bowl." A plan is only words. What is the bowl you wash today? ## The plan, on one page Copy this into notes, an email or a supervision record.