Jori-ki is self-power, power we develop through our own efforts. Jori-ki we generate ourselves through our actions, our diet, our attitude and, especially, our daily practice.
Tari-ki is other-power, power we get from the efforts and charisma of others.
Tari-ki is what we soak up from being around people, places and situations.
It is vital for each of us to take responsibility by showing up with a store of jori-ki as well as with a receptivity to tari-ki.
“One day a man of the people said to Zen Master Ikkyu: “Master, will you please write for me some maxims of the highest wisdom?” Ikkyu immediately took his brush and wrote the word “Attention.” “Is that all?” asked the man. “Will you not add something more?” Ikkyu then wrote twice running: “Attention. Attention.” “Well,” remarked the man rather irritably, “I really don’t see much depth or subtlety in what you have just written.” Then Ikkyu wrote the same word three times running: “Attention. Attention. Attention.” Half angered, the man demanded: “What does that word ‘Attention’ mean anyway?” And Ikkyu answered gently: “Attention means attention (page 10-11).” ― Roshi P. Kapleau,
The Three Pillars of Zen
"There was a fisherman in China who for forty years used a straight needle to fish with. When someone asked him, "Why don't you use a bent hook?" The fisherman replied, "You can catch ordinary fish with a bent hook, but I will catch a great fish with my straight needle."
Word of this came to the ear of the Emperor, so he went to see this fool of a fisherman for himself. The Emperor asked the fisherman, "What are you fishing for?"
The fisherman said, "I am fishing for you, Emperor!"
"If you have no experience in fishing with the straight needle, you cannot understand this story. Simply, I am holding my arms on my breast. Like that fisherman with the straight needle, I fish for you good fishes. I do not circulate letters. I do not advertise. I do not ask you to come. I do not ask you to stay. I do not entertain you. You come, and I am living my own life."
-Sokei-an
From Zen Pivots: Lectures on Buddhism and Zen
