This morning we had a silent morning at our house and we went for a walk as part of it. By the river, through the woods and through a village. I was very in touch with the earth beneath our feet and the sense that the earth has all the knowledge and wisdom to protect herself as well as providing for all those who live on her. And so this poem came together from the walk.
I am the bounteous, beautiful
green earth
breathing out great love and beauty,
yielding food and shade and protection,
places for quiet reflection
places full of awe and wonder.
I am the nurturing, protecting
green earth
breathing in toxins, pollutants and waste
recycling into useful energy
remaking the compost to
nourish new plants and flowers.
I am the bounteous, beautiful
green earth
breathing out my endless forgiveness
to all who walk upon me.
I am the nurturing, protecting
green earth
breathing in a time of rest
creating a fallow period of retreat.
Breathing out,
see my beauty and loveliness,
an abundance of colour, form and shape.
Breathing in,
appreciate a quiet phase,
resting, nourishing, preparing.
Walk my paths
swim my rivers
catch my scent
eat my produce.
Breathe out with me.
Breathe in with me.
© 6 July 2014
Sunday, 6 July 2014
Saturday, 5 July 2014
Mind is a great storyteller
Mind is a great storyteller
weaving imaginary disasters,
great happenings,
in which I am always
at the centre, triumphing.
Mind is a great storyteller
depicting moments that will never happen,
worst-case scenarios,
tragedies that never take place.
This is not harmless daydreaming
the mind is creating pathways
in which the worst is assumed,
things always go wrong.
I propose for mind to be quiet,
to let the world unfold in its own way
and to be able to see
what is actually happening
instead of our strong imaginings.
I propose for mind to be still
enough to recognise
the great joys that are taking place
around us, each moment, and
not to focus on potential catastrophes
that usually don’t occur.
Be still, o mind, and
let the cosmos speak.
© 18 June 14
weaving imaginary disasters,
great happenings,
in which I am always
at the centre, triumphing.
Mind is a great storyteller
depicting moments that will never happen,
worst-case scenarios,
tragedies that never take place.
This is not harmless daydreaming
the mind is creating pathways
in which the worst is assumed,
things always go wrong.
I propose for mind to be quiet,
to let the world unfold in its own way
and to be able to see
what is actually happening
instead of our strong imaginings.
I propose for mind to be still
enough to recognise
the great joys that are taking place
around us, each moment, and
not to focus on potential catastrophes
that usually don’t occur.
Be still, o mind, and
let the cosmos speak.
© 18 June 14
Friday, 4 July 2014
The Buddhas are waiting for us
The Buddhas are waiting for us
as we move from the hot, sunny path
towards cool and welcome shade.
We edge slowly towards them
savouring each moment,
as if playing Grandmother’s Footsteps.
Will one of them awaken and see us?
They are already awakened.
They already see our true natures.
“Come on over to our side” they call
from the Ultimate dimension.
They already see us as we truly are
they are waiting for us to realise.
Making each footstep carefully,
stopping to notice the dance
of butterflies and dragonflies,
the blossoming of sweet peas en route,
the dimensions dissolve,
merging together.
There is no ‘over there’ or ‘over here’
there is only here and now.
The Buddhas no longer have to wait for us,
we are also there.
© 17 June 14
as we move from the hot, sunny path
towards cool and welcome shade.
We edge slowly towards them
savouring each moment,
as if playing Grandmother’s Footsteps.
Will one of them awaken and see us?
They are already awakened.
They already see our true natures.
“Come on over to our side” they call
from the Ultimate dimension.
They already see us as we truly are
they are waiting for us to realise.
Making each footstep carefully,
stopping to notice the dance
of butterflies and dragonflies,
the blossoming of sweet peas en route,
the dimensions dissolve,
merging together.
There is no ‘over there’ or ‘over here’
there is only here and now.
The Buddhas no longer have to wait for us,
we are also there.
© 17 June 14
Thursday, 3 July 2014
I walked in the garden
I walked in the garden
asking my teachers to teach me
all their different qualities.
The trees replied,
our trunks can teach you strength and
our branches flexibility.
You need to know your core stability
and breathe into it in many fearful situations.
You also need to know when to bend
with the winds of change,
as resisting will easily break you.
The rose replied,
I can teach you
how to let your inner light shine
for everyone you meet
just by being yourself.
I do not hold back my loveliness
to share with a few,
but let everyone enjoy.
The honeysuckle replied,
I can teach you generosity.
I give up my fragrance willingly
to every being who passes by,
not only those I deem worthy.
The earth replied,
I can teach you acceptance.
I accept whatever offering
is poured into me,
whether it is toxic or cleansing.
I accept it all and reject none.
The insects replied,
we can teach you
how to move beyond the limiting concepts of duality.
If you find this a difficult teaching to learn
we will bite, sting and annoy you
like a Zen stick,
until you are ready to see
there is no good or bad.
The frogs and crickets replied,
we can teach you patience and true seeing.
We create a distracting, noisy chatter
persistent and interrupting,
until you learn to hear it as a song of love,
singing in harmony
with your own true nature.
My eyes are full of tears of gratitude
as I walk in the garden,
from one teaching to the next.
© 14 June 14
asking my teachers to teach me
all their different qualities.
The trees replied,
our trunks can teach you strength and
our branches flexibility.
You need to know your core stability
and breathe into it in many fearful situations.
You also need to know when to bend
with the winds of change,
as resisting will easily break you.
The rose replied,
I can teach you
how to let your inner light shine
for everyone you meet
just by being yourself.
I do not hold back my loveliness
to share with a few,
but let everyone enjoy.
The honeysuckle replied,
I can teach you generosity.
I give up my fragrance willingly
to every being who passes by,
not only those I deem worthy.
The earth replied,
I can teach you acceptance.
I accept whatever offering
is poured into me,
whether it is toxic or cleansing.
I accept it all and reject none.
The insects replied,
we can teach you
how to move beyond the limiting concepts of duality.
If you find this a difficult teaching to learn
we will bite, sting and annoy you
like a Zen stick,
until you are ready to see
there is no good or bad.
The frogs and crickets replied,
we can teach you patience and true seeing.
We create a distracting, noisy chatter
persistent and interrupting,
until you learn to hear it as a song of love,
singing in harmony
with your own true nature.
My eyes are full of tears of gratitude
as I walk in the garden,
from one teaching to the next.
© 14 June 14
Wednesday, 2 July 2014
Transmission day
At the dawning of this day
the air is still cool.
The full moon hangs
as a lantern
in a silent sky,
the sun is still rising.
Today is a day full of potentialities,
possibilities as any other day
yet today is transmission day.
Today I receive the fourteen
Mindfulness Trainings.
At the noon of this day
the sun is full yet
the breeze is kind and soothing.
We have listened to our teacher
answering heartfelt questions
with wisdom, deep practice and a smile.
In the afternoon of this day
the energy of the Sangha
practising together washes over us
as cleansing water
sweeping away fear and
preparing us
to receive our true names.
At the eve of this day,
the day full of potentialities,
possibilities,
the Temple bell signifies
the closing of the day.
I embrace my Dharma name,
wondering how I will bring it to life.
It is a great aspiration
I hold dear in my heart.
(True Mountain of Non-Fear).
© 14 June 14
the air is still cool.
The full moon hangs
as a lantern
in a silent sky,
the sun is still rising.
Today is a day full of potentialities,
possibilities as any other day
yet today is transmission day.
Today I receive the fourteen
Mindfulness Trainings.
At the noon of this day
the sun is full yet
the breeze is kind and soothing.
We have listened to our teacher
answering heartfelt questions
with wisdom, deep practice and a smile.
In the afternoon of this day
the energy of the Sangha
practising together washes over us
as cleansing water
sweeping away fear and
preparing us
to receive our true names.
At the eve of this day,
the day full of potentialities,
possibilities,
the Temple bell signifies
the closing of the day.
I embrace my Dharma name,
wondering how I will bring it to life.
It is a great aspiration
I hold dear in my heart.
(True Mountain of Non-Fear).
© 14 June 14
This is my Dharma hall
In being outside so much at Plum Village I really began to get in touch with nature and you'll notice a lot of the poems reflect that.
This is my Dharma hall
I let go of the human body
I embrace the cosmos body.
I enjoy the cosmos body
with all its fullness and delights.
This is my Dharma hall
here I will sit, walk and breathe.
This is my Dharma hall,
here I will enjoy my meditation.
© 13 June 2014
This is my Dharma hall
I let go of the human body
I embrace the cosmos body.
I enjoy the cosmos body
with all its fullness and delights.
This is my Dharma hall
here I will sit, walk and breathe.
This is my Dharma hall,
here I will enjoy my meditation.
© 13 June 2014
Tuesday, 1 July 2014
Joining the Buddha statues
Sitting here
the Buddhas statues are still
exuding peace and compassion.
The insects and midges are dancing
in the lazy evening air.
The trees serenade us
as the wind plays their branches
like a harp.
The gentle murmur of conversation
floats on the light evening breeze.
The time of meditation draws near.
Everything moves towards a gentle quiet,
joining the Buddhas in peace and compassion.
© 11 June 2014
the Buddhas statues are still
exuding peace and compassion.
The insects and midges are dancing
in the lazy evening air.
The trees serenade us
as the wind plays their branches
like a harp.
The gentle murmur of conversation
floats on the light evening breeze.
The time of meditation draws near.
Everything moves towards a gentle quiet,
joining the Buddhas in peace and compassion.
© 11 June 2014
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