On Being Awake

When am I fully awake?

Is it when I'm fully aware
of what I'm doing in a given moment?

Or is it when I'm fully lost
in what I'm doing in a given moment?

None

None of the pictures of God
I carry around in my head
are really pictures of God.

None of the images of Tao
that I think are true
are anywhere near the truth.

As intimate as my face.
As near as my hand.
Why can I not see this?

Extinction

The gate closes.
The latch turns.

What was loose
on the land
is now gone.

Locked away
for another eternity.

What I See

I see what
I expect to see.

When I don't know
what I expect to see,
I see what I think I see.

When I don't know
what I think I see,
I see without prejudice.

Six Tasks

Grow still.
Bend down.
Discover patience.
Accept imperfection.
Listen with both eyes.
Say thank you.

Wall Reality

A wall stands
between us.

My bowl is full.
Your bowl is empty.

You're hungry.
I want to share.

How real
is the wall now?

Light Source

Light from inside.
Light from outside.

Two paths.
One source.

Breaking Ground

Seeds of the next generation
will always seem sharp to some.

We forget how important sharp
can be when breaking ground.

Cathedral in the Woods

Pine grove at the edge of town,
a dark cathedral with swaying roof
and ruddy needle carpet.

Two pines make a wide door.
The rest make tall, open windows.
Beyond, the river flows fast or slow
depending on the time of year.

A chapel built completely by the mind
and yet what basilica can claim better?

Practices of Trees

Stillness and awareness.

How do we know these
are not the daily practices
of every tree we see?

Pain Is a Delicate Thing

It turns out pain
is a delicate thing.

Distractions blow it away.
Time buries it in memory.
Normality swallows it whole.

Accept it as a child.
Let it go when it's time.

Flowing River

A river flows through
the ten thousand things
like space through matter.

Flowing, and yet still.