dawn emerges and the verse begins to write itself

a flock of geese over the temple fly in quiet stealth

I might as well begin to activate my private shell

mourning the goodness of my rest but now I’m rising well

missing my children cause the water in my eyes to swell

I let the waterfall as I exhale

I’m by myself

recite the morning Gatha

that Thich Nhat Hanh instructed

this is a new 24 hours may I be productive

may I smile at life

in each and every action

And look upon all beings with eyes of compassion

this isn’t only for the chosen few

abundant like the light reflected in the morning dew

according to the older schools you need to focus through

according to the younger schools you keep an open view

regardless

self compassion remains the hardest

but most important tool in the repertoire you can harness

and so if nothing else

I try to love myself r

esist the urge to throw a book when I judge myself

more and more you’ll find me on retreat

amongst the mountains

pray that I practice well

and be a source for fountains

 

Dawn

I’m sitting of course feeling the force of patiently dealing with thoughts

healing of course

from being so lost

so sometimes I’m feeling remorse

I try to forgive myself no one can ever know what it was like to have been myself

but here in the present it’s so effervescent

a flash in the lightning reveals myself

i’m taking the time to look at my mind

and see how the patterns are working

my teacher said I do not have to do nothing with it

Just sit back and observe it

upon observation

Everything is free already

Life is full of ups and downs

You can’t keep it steady

keeping composure in the constant changes

awaken from prolonged exposure to your contemplation

number one lesson I learned on retreat

the road is rocky when you stumble get back on your feet

Dawn