Saturday, May 31, 2014

Rock Light


To see
light in
a rock
is to see
light in
anything.

Even in
our enemies.

Even in
each other.

Even in
ourselves.


Friday, May 30, 2014

Thread


Threading our way through life
from birth to death is both
a solitary and a communal weaving.

Separateness. Individuality.
Cooperation. Community.
Fibers woven into every thread.

Many strands. One cloth.


Thursday, May 29, 2014

No Barrier


No barrier will hold
nature at bay forever.

No fear will keep
love out in the end.


Wednesday, May 28, 2014

Above


We put ourselves above others
as if such a thing were possible.

It is not.

Arrogance is rooted in fear.
Humility is rooted in Tao.


Tuesday, May 27, 2014

Being Awake


Being awake
is more than
being aware
of what is
going on
around me.

Being awake
also means
being aware
of what is
going on
inside me.

This is why
true wakefulness
is so rare.


Monday, May 26, 2014

Flowers in Heaven?


Why would flowers
need to go to heaven?

Isn't their earthly life of
transient glory enough?

Apparently not so
for my ego.


Sunday, May 25, 2014

Enter Heaven


More connects us
than divides us.

We are never as alone
as we think we are.

Our fears keep us
from seeing this.

Our pride keeps us
from admitting this.

Give up fear and self
and enter heaven.


Saturday, May 24, 2014

Each Boundary


Each boundary connects.
Each bridge divides.

It is a matter of perception
that makes us think otherwise.


Friday, May 23, 2014

Metanoia


No spiritual journey
is a straight road.

Every turn brings us
closer to our true selves.

If we travel far enough,
we discover home again.


Thursday, May 22, 2014

Big Bang Flower


Every flower
bursting
in the sunlight
is a Big Bang
spewing
another universe
into our eyes.


Wednesday, May 21, 2014

Mountains Cleave


Mountains cleave
and break apart.

Flesh is just as weak.
Even families fall apart.

Find joy in the holding on.
Find peace in the letting go.


Tuesday, May 20, 2014

In the Way


God is not an angry eye.
Tao is not a jealous god.

God doesn't need emotions.
Tao doesn't need to feel.

Those would only get
in the way of the nurturing.


Monday, May 19, 2014

Tree Wisdom


Why would a tree care
whether it reaches the sky?

Isn't growing toward it enough?


Sunday, May 18, 2014

Saturday, May 17, 2014

While It Lasts


Life is so brief,
yet feels so long.

At least until
it feels too brief.

But that doesn't
come until later.

Brief or long.
Neither matters.

Only to be awake
while it lasts.


Friday, May 16, 2014

Lecher


Every year,
the planet
strips itself
to bare skin,
part by part.

Every year,
the earth
dresses itself
with green
all over again.

And every year,
I devour all
of this stripping
and dressing
like an old lecher.


Thursday, May 15, 2014

All We See


Is it possible
to see the Divine?

Only if we allow it.

Otherwise, all we see
is a universe.


Wednesday, May 14, 2014

My Own Freedom


Wherever I turn,
I see edges.
I see limits.
I see boundaries.

But my greatest hindrances
are the blinders I wear
to keep me from seeing
my own freedom.


Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Appearances


Beauty and ugliness
surround us at every turn.

But it isn't always clear
which one is which.

This says more about our minds
than about our eyes.

When we change how we think,
we see beauty everywhere.


Monday, May 12, 2014

Small Mind


Something else
I've learned.

A small mind
always seems
so much bigger
from the inside.


Sunday, May 11, 2014

Banquet


Feed the eye with light.
Feed the ear with music.
Feed the mind with wisdom.
Feed the heart with soul.
Feed the body with food.


Saturday, May 10, 2014

Leaves of Life


We are the leaves
of the tree of life.

It sprouts us into being
for mutual nourishment.


Friday, May 9, 2014

Tribes Thrive


Flowers are tribal.
Gardens are communal.

All tribes thrive
better in community.


Thursday, May 8, 2014

Naked Tao


Above the surface.
Below the surface.

One contains sky.
One contains depth.

Is it the surface
that cradles the sky?

Is it the surface
that reflects the depth?

Look beyond surfaces
and see Tao naked.


Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Boundary of Evolution


That we came to be
is a miracle of evolution.

That we cease to be
is a boundary of evolution.


Tuesday, May 6, 2014

No Window


No matter how many times
I notice the flowing of Tao,
it's always as if through a window.

And yet, I know there is
no window, no wall, no door.

Just Tao.


Monday, May 5, 2014

Help


Who we help.
How we help.
Why we help.

None of these
really matters
when it comes
to helping
others in need.

What matters
is that we help.


Sunday, May 4, 2014

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Power Source


What powers the upheaval
of mountains?

What powers the filling
of the oceans?

What powers the spinning
of the seasons?

What powers the breath
of my own body?

What powers the Tao
but the Tao?


Friday, May 2, 2014

Myths of Growing Old


The myth of irrelevance.
The myth of relevance.

The myth of decay.
The myth of permanence.

The myth of wisdom.
The myth of ignorance.

The myth of apathy.
The myth of fear.


Thursday, May 1, 2014

Reaching and Grasping


Reaching beyond what is mine.
Grasping for what is not mine.

These pull me away from my true self.

Reaching accord with what is.
Grasping where Tao is leading.

These guide me into my true self.