inner adventure

mindfulness
requires attention

at first this is an idea
later it becomes an insight

and the question pops up:
so what the heck is attention?

what attracts it?
what sustains it?

does attention ever tire,
or just move from place to place?

how soft can attention be?
how narrow, how broad?

i want to find out!
gently, persistently

again life invites me
on another great
inner adventure

no feeling is final

what if things change?

quietly or quickly
they always do

what if i embrace this
truth wholeheartedly?

that there is nothing
to hold on to

that living
is witnessing

the movement of
flowering and fading away

of breath, cells and
thoughts

that no feeling
is final

how light living can be
when the mind

is a welcoming space
for the living flow

at first

here we are, again
entering into contemplation

through this moment’s
gate of perception

in contemplation the shy,
the hidden come into view

much will be encountered
not all, at first, seems wonderful

yet even fear becomes a gift
and facing pride brings insight

observing what comes
without adding commentary

receiving all equally,
how impossible this sounds at first

wondrous then,
that quite naturally

it seems to move that way
all by itself

bursts of joy

beachcombing through the day
ambling, with senses keen

noticing a curious stone
a shiny shell fragment

in this moment
a simple burst of joy

making contact,
maybe carrying

then letting go, into
a new uncluttered freedom

hands and mind
open once again

this coming and going
of small joys

brings ease
to cloud-mind

relaxing, softening
healing through joy

can i be certain

questions asked
in the hour of dawn

why do i get so upset?

what in me feels wronged and gets hurt?

can i observe my inner resistance?

and also sense curiosity and kindness
arriving to aid this inquiry?

now a young voice asks:
where do my thoughts come from?

why is thought
so vexing?

am i the thinker?
am i thinking?

how can i be certain of anything
if i can not answer:
what am i?

little freakouts

i try to pause
to breathe and relax

ahhh  . . .
nope, argh!

here’s where my intentions
meet the momentum of
my habitual doing-ness

my mind left to itself
freaks out a little

it encounters boredom
and that’s not easy

so the mind begins to think
story upon story

it gets enthralled
in rehashing history

or plans the next meal
or finds itself in amazing daydreams
or simply nods off for a while

or it invents an urgent task
and finds itself half way across
the room before noticing
it’s no longer pausing

yup, it’s not easy

yet there is a longing
that calls me back to myself
that knows

and i try pausing again
and it becomes easier
and funnier

still marvelous

still marvelous
observing the breath

the in and out
rhythm of life

lungs sucking
in air

a momentary
fullness

then the tide turns
and in becomes out

a momentary
stillness

until the next breath
rushes in, unique and vital

each breath connecting
into the ocean of air

into the chorus
of all beings breathing

into the first breath,
last breath continuum

tenderness of the heart

dear one
why do you read
this musing?

is it not
to connect
with yourself?

to meet yourself
in tenderness

to sense the quiet
that dwells within

witness your many actions
that seek peace, kindness
and clarity

they are your
countless devotions

your love letters
to life itself

to the great mystery
that surrounds and suffuses you
that is you

look closely
look kindly

see the faithful seeking
the tenderness of your own heart

stay tuned

with weekly free musings

Donate

thank you for supporting kind lens