« The Door Of The Law » is a suite comprising six chapters inspired by « A Parable About A Parable » from Robert Anton Wilson’s « Quantum Psychology. » The allegory tells the story of a young man studying Zen who finds himself profoundly disturbed after reading « Before The Law, » a mystifying parable that can be found near the end of Franz Kafka’s masterpiece « The Trial. » Feeling that he will never understand Zen until he first understands this strange tale, the student goes to his roshi and tells him Kafka’s story of the man who waited at the Door of the Law — the door that existed only for him but would not admit him, and was closed when death would no longer allow him to enter.
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1. Prologue
{instrumental}
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2. Plight
Please help me
Oh Roshi won't you help me to see
Pray tell me
What is the point of this story
To my progress necessary
Mercy me
This parable is a mystery
Haunting me
Distracting me from my study
In meditation it disturbs me
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3. Parable
Once was a man who had made it
Up all the way to the Door of the Law
No obstacle had made him quit
No one burden had caused him to withdraw
There was a guard ... standing tall
Right on the path leading to the entrance
Duty was his to keep the wall
And greet the man who would seek admittance
The sentry said "I cannot let you in
At this moment but in time you might see
The day when your prize you're allowed to win
Permission to move onward and past me"
Thus the man sat and waited on and on
Day after day hopefully restlessly
Staying up late and waking before dawn
Struggling to retain his sanity
Out of patience the man would take his chance
And his way in he would attempt to buy
But the other would not alter his stance
No matter how often the first one would try
"It is no use giving your properties"
The sentinel responded politely
"I only consent to your briberies
So you do not give up hope entirely" (or : lose hope entirely)
Then came a day when the man felt too old
Fearful that death was about to claim him
Resigned himself having spent all his gold
Took one deep breath and expelled one last whim
"Pray tell me whom else might this door enthrall
So many years flew by in mystery
I have been told that the Law is for all
How come no one made it here but just me ?"
"I will explain" said the guard in return
"This door was made for no one but for thee
As you now die your last spark I thus spurn
The door I close and complete my duty"
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4. Pedagogue
Now I see
Dear Simon why you looked so weary
Don't worry
I will explain the allegory
And from its bind you will be free
Come with me
I know just the thing needed for thee
Follow me
The meditation hall holds the key
But the answer is one you must see
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5. Awakening
{instrumental}
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6. Epilogue
There is no wall confining you
There used to be, but you've left it behind
There is no guard here to stop you
The one you fear is a voice you designed
There is no door in front of you
The one you see is only in your mind
There is no law preventing you
To live you dream free yourself from your bind
