Peel away!

There are layers to peel away
to unlock the kernel hidden beneath.
Let hand connect directly
with heart without
interference from the mind.
Peel away, peel away!
Only when the dross has been discarded
will the jewel beneath be revealed.
Patience my friend!
Remove the heavy-handedness
of eager hurry
so as not to blemish the hidden jewel.
Only heart knows
when all layers are removed.
The sculptor chips away
at the block of stone to discover
the sculpture that already lies
at its heart.
Peel away, peel away!
Only when the dross has been discarded
will the jewel beneath be revealed.

© 18 Jun 16

It has to be me

The weather may not be balmy
yet there is a sense of
midsummer madness in the air
high pressure causing people
to behave in crazy ways
even killing, shooting
those who disagree with their opinion.

The only certainty is uncertainty
yet does this need to be agitated
by disturbances?
Is the only way forward
throwing all the balls into the air and
seeing where they will land?
Is it necessary to stir up trouble
in order to bring about change?
Is it frightening or exhilarating?
It depends upon your perspective.

Where is the voice of reason
in all this furore?
What do I know?
I know big decisions
should not be made in an agitative state.
I know calm is needed
within myself
to see the reasonable way forward.
I know love is necessary in all circumstances
and especially now
when there seems to be so much hate.
I know a wave of hate
will be met with a stronger wave
of love
that people can and will help
one another when push comes to shove.
And can we also show love without
the push and the shove?

Where is the voice of reason
in all this?
It has to be me.
It has to be me keeping calm
whatever winds of change are blowing
knowing it will pass and
things will settle.
It has to be me
not feeding the seeds of anger, of hate
within myself.
It has to be me
showing compassion towards those
who disagree with me.
It has to be me
saying no to the rising tide
of aversion and frustration.
It has to be me
saying I will not be overcome by despair.
It has to be me
saying yes to love, in all its forms.
It has to be me.

© 17 Jun 16

I don’t have another way of walking

Walking into the present moment
no need to carry the to do list
as a burden on my shoulders
no need to think, worry, or even remember.
As each footstep deepens
becomes more joyful
I discover
I don’t have another way of walking.

I could choose to be busy
walk in a hurry
rushing from place to place
to get things done
frantically tick items off my to do list.
I choose to slow down
mindful of each footstep
moving yet not moving.
I let go of the usual energy
associated with thinking
I have things to do.

Walking into the present moment
moving yet not moving
I discover a freshness
a lightness
the joy of just walking
I discover
I don’t have another way of walking*.

* This is a quote from Thich Nhat Hanh when asked about walking meditation.
Wherever he goes, whatever he has to do, he always walks in a mindful way.

© 6 Jun 16

We are many, we are one

I am a droplet of water
joining, merging with yours
meeting, appreciating
many droplets coming together.

We are a stream of water
joining, merging with others
meeting, appreciating
many streams coming together.

We are one great ocean
having joined and merged
having met and appreciated
oneness in its fullness.
We are many, we are one.

© 1 Jun 16