What precisely is the middle way? If you absolutely love chocolate-chip cookies, you can go to Mrs. Field's and pig out or you can forbid yourself ever to touch a chocolate chip (since you know you can't restrain yourself). The middle way is to have two. lt's the hardest way because you can't just bliss out and die in chocolate-chip heaven and you can't use rigidity (some very strict rule) to keep yourself from experiencing how delicious chocolate-chip cookies are. You have to taste (feel) everything-their scrumptiousness, and also that your body can handle only two at a time. You have to stay conscious.
—
Katagiri-roshi taught that it's not important whether a spiritual teacher has reached his peak or not. It only matters whether he has digested the truth he has experienced. Thorough digestion takes time and care, consciousness and commitment. Lastly, it takes a fine-tuned instinct for the middle way — the right regimen, day after day, so you can continue with it endlessly.

by Gail Sher,
One Continuous Mistake -
Four Noble Truths for Writers
1999

XLII

Coyoté wasn't amused.
Owl had told him that the solution to his dilemma
was not eating all the rabbits he got
nor was it letting them all go.
Owl said to only eat a few
and let the rest go!
Idiocy!

Why not cage the extra ones?
The ones you couldn't eat at the moment.
Why let them go?

Owl sighed,
"Listen," he said, "Whatcha gonna do?
You cage them, you feed them.
You really ready to become a farmer?"

Coyoté thought a moment.
"Maybe do a deal with a farmer?!
I give you rabbits and leave your chickens alone.
You, Mr Farmer, give some back when I need'm!"

"Ok, that might work," Owl said.
"Assuming you really will give up chickens."

Coyoté smiled sly.
"Well, no chickens from that farmer."

"Ha!" Owl exclaimed.
Coyoté smiled.
Then he noticed the chicken coming their way.
Ah, that dilemma, he thought.

Day after day.