EMILY HERDS AN OX

To Live a Life of Meaning in Grace

By: Leon Isaac Drucker

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

Emily Herds an Ox is a contemporary novel that utilizes the framework of the "Ten Ox Herding Pictures" from Zen Buddhism. The Ten Ox-herding Pictures have concretely depicted the process in which the imperfect, limited, and relative self (the little child) awakens to the perfect, unlimited, and absolute essential self (the ox), grasps it, tames it, forgets it, and completely incorporates it into the personality. The “Ten Ox Herding Pictures” shows the stages of Zen practice and enlightenment. Depicting both dramatic breakthroughs and plodding practice, it reconciles “sudden enlightenment” with the gradual ripening of the fruit of spiritual practice. The ox represents the true self or the mind, which the ox herder seeks to find and tame.
Emily lives in a comfortable, well-organized apartment in the city. Her life is technologically driven, with gadgets and apps for everything, from waking up to managing her day. She has a close-knit group of friends from college and work, but her interactions with them are often superficial. Her family, who live in another town, are supportive but distant.
Emily feels a lack of deep connection and purpose. Her work, while challenging, doesn't fulfill her on a personal level. She senses a spiritual void and craves a deeper understanding of herself and the world. She often wonders about the nature of happiness and fulfillment beyond material success.
A combination of internal longing and external events triggers Emily's quest. She experiences a series of challenging events: a project at work goes awry, causing her to question her career choice, and a close friend moves away, deepening her sense of isolation. Concurrently, she discovers an old journal of her late grandmother, who was deeply spiritual and explored various philosophical paths. This discovery reignites her interest in spirituality and sets her on a path to find meaning beyond her current existence.
Emily starts observing the world around her more mindfully. She notices small details: the way light filters through her apartment at dawn, the rhythm of the city, the diverse stories of the people she encounters daily. These observations stir a sense of wonder and curiosity in her. During a visit to a local park, Emily becomes captivated by the simplicity and tranquility of nature amidst the city's chaos. This experience acts as a catalyst, making her more aware of the beauty and mystery in everyday life.
The novel concludes with Emily reflecting on her journey. She contemplates the transformations she has undergone, not just spiritually but also emotionally and intellectually. She recognizes that her journey is not a destination but a continuous process of learning and growing. Emily is at peace with the ongoing nature of her personal development. The story ends with Emily in a moment of quiet reflection, perhaps in the same park where she first felt a connection to something greater. She realizes that true service to the world starts with one's own transformation and that every individual’s journey can contribute to a larger collective good.