How I would like
people to hear ...
the sound of the snow falling
through the deepening
night ...
~ Hakuin (17th century)
Elders and mentors have an irreplaceable function in the life of any community. Without them the young are lost -- their overflowing energies wasted in useless pursuits. The old must live in the young like a grounding force that tames the tendency toward bold but senseless actions and shows them the path of wisdom.