during a winter’s ice-storm
a woman appeared outside
clad in shorts and flip-flops
it took but one glance
for judging-mind
to think of her as daft
judging-mind was certain,
even superior
in how it viewed her
this moment would
have gone unnoticed
if not for a simple question
could i now connect with her
unbiased, warmheartedly?
noticing how difficult it would be
for us to meet unencumbered
the seemingly small thought
of judging-mind
showed itself in a new light
it had created such distance
from the heart and between us
an unexpected insight,
a slow melt back towards
tenderness and gratitude
into the winter woods
out of my head
into the elements
just past the comfort zone
lies discovery
five, four, three, two, one!
tuning into the senses
sights, scents and sounds,
body sensations and taste
connecting
coming alive
being present
treasures
abound
everywhere!
easing a weary mind
slowly,
take a breath
and with a smile
- another one
patiently,
relaxing the body
helps to ease a weary mind
now, notice the flow,
the flowering and fading,
of inner formations
let come what comes
let go what goes
joys and sorrows are temporary
with gentle practice
the “coming home” path
becomes a welcoming
dwelling place
yes
yes to life
in all its guises
yes to the flow
expressing itself freely
yes, to the feast
of giving, receiving and perceiving
yes, to the path
that brought you here
yes, to grace
filling your sails
now and ever
is it so
the last one
what if
today’s drama
is the last one
you’d ever have?
the last frustration, envy, anger
the last grief, sorrow, loneliness
what if they’d never come
to visit again?
would they be missed?
would they be welcomed
more warmly today?
these temporary
noble teachers
whirling about,
as they pass through
turning us back
towards light
this marvelous state
conditions were just right today
pausing for a shadow in the sky
at dawn, mountain, fair clouds,
sun and earth cavorting
eyes beholding,
consciousness perceiving
wonder needs
no special occasion
mountain shadow, hiccup, holiday jingle...
all inviting, asking:
what is this marvelous state
of awareness?
of stillness and peace
the lungs breathe
meeting the body’s requirements
no more, no less,
just beautifully so
from the first breath onward
to this very moment
when the act of breathing
becomes conscious
not thinking
about breathing
but the intimate
awareness of breathing
in that instant
something changes
a time of stillness
and peace
tender and connected
the witnessing of a single breath
a stroke of luck
once, after a particularly animated
exchange with a loved one
both of us expressing
“our” points of view
which happened
to differ
a stroke of luck - flashed,
for an instant being able to see
how entrenched “my” views were
how right they felt
how “my” views came
with such urgency
impatiently seeking
to be expressed
even intolerant to listening
to my loved one’s views
what an intoxicated state
to find the mind in!
next came curiosity
and questions:
how did these views
came to be “my” views?
when had they last,
or ever, been examined?
how long had they had
full access to mind and mouth?
realizing there is no freedom at all
when being tempted to argue hotly
for any view
that inhabits the mind
this stroke of luck caused
a humbling pause and flood of gratitude
mindful relaxation
spending time with friends
in quiet contemplation
after a while of turning inward
the body softens, the mind calms
now our togetherness
shines in a new light
beauty and goodness
easier to perceive
being with each other
more joyful
how curious that simple
mindful relaxation can bring such ease
becoming friends
playful, willful, easily distracted
like a young dog
is my mind
how to live with
such exuberant energy
without losing patience?
decide to understand
the mischief-maker better
to humbly befriend it
through kind eyes
watching the mind
as it moves
working with what is
learning, growing, loving
there is much joy
when the mind becomes a friend
your path
your path reveals what
needs embracing now
every day is pure
and welcoming
don’t follow words,
pause instead
steadfast, quietly
soften into peace
trust that all you’ve ever sought
dwells within
dipping into
sitting still
with curiosity and care
dipping into
ever-changing patterns
sensing posture and
fleeting body sensations
does anything need relaxing?
watching the weather
on the emotional plain
does anything need soothing?
visiting with the meandering river
of bubbling thoughts
does anything need releasing?
sitting still
dipping into
this wondrous,
peaceful moment
the beauty of change
this time
of falling leaves
reminds
me to practice
letting go
letting go
letting go
of the thoughts
that prevent peace
so simple
so radical and beautiful
so worthy
of trying
unburdening
we all need it
from time to time
to vent,
to give expression
to grief and loneliness,
frustration, rejection, fear
how to be a good friend,
when the vulnerable,
sometimes messy,
unburdening occurs?
not rushing to fix,
nor even believing
that fixing needs to be
done by me
bearing witness instead,
fully present, patiently,
listening
without judging
trusting that listening itself
is beneficial
trusting that the speaker
while unburdening
has a direct path
to insight
to grace
a simple musing
may there be gratitude
for well-fitting shoes
and the aches that are absent
for the scent of rain
and the sparrow’s song
for the return of the salmon,
that add their richness to the land
for a found moment
of restfulness
for what has been received
and what has been denied
for jam and buttons
and a new insight
for friends
that always seem happy
to hear from us
may these blessings,
and their kin
feel seen and welcome
in the heart
we may ask
living can be
a restless affair
bouncing
between pleasure
and pain
weary of the unrest
we may ask:
where is equanimity?
where is lasting peace?
attitude seems
to determine
our perspective
is this
self-evident?
then we may ask:
what decides on the attitude
at play in us?
is it random,
is it choice,
is it fate?
the morning self
waking, after
a good rest
there is a softness
that lingers
if even for
a moment or two
the morning self
connects effortlessly
to the beauty that abounds
before my armaments
to the noise of the day
rush in
before my habits
obscure this tender lens
upon the world
still, just beneath the surface
the morning self
waits
before words
words
only point
in a direction
they are never
truth itself
”girl”, i remind myself:
”you can’t cook your food
on the word “fire”,
you need a real
spark for that
kind of warmth”
yet, when the light
that walks
within every breath
flares
the path
before words
becomes your true home
wobbly and awkward
even if it seems
wobbly and awkward
even if attention
wanders off
a thousand times
don’t mind
reach out
to the supreme
spirit presence
within
it waits
faithfully
to be the ground beneath
your dancing feet
sweetheart
for so long
you have troubled
your gentle heart
carrying endless burdens
believing it would bring
some merit or illusive gain
how freeing the moment
when you drop old
tensions and resentments
question any thought
that tells you
you can’t let go
sweetheart, look,
here before you now
is the open door
