Hallway to Nowhere

Category: buddhist

  • Weight Of Samsara (Poem)

    How to develop a lighter mind,

    Able to easily drift on the winds of change?

    All my attitudes hinder this,

    Causing me to adhere to every sticking point.

    Rather than a clear openness,

    I find the constant film of selfishness.

    Sometimes this momentarily fades,

    Through diligent application of appropriate means.

    My attention waxes and wanes,

    With the result that the tarnish returns.

    Once again I sink under the grimy wash.

    If I could but realize that this be illusion,

    I could float freely as the leaf and cloud.

  • How To Walk (Poem)

    Let me go for a walk. How do I begin?

    By starting from where I am.

    I put one foot in front of the other.

    Over and over and over.

    I alone can do this.

    I cannot ask: Would you move for me?

    (I could, but this is nonsensical.)

    If I want to trek to whatever destination,

    I must commence.

    Now is the only time;

    These steps are the perfect means.

    I embark upon the journey.

  • Spacious Mind (Poem)

    What is the beginning of wisdom?

    Simply this. To say

    I do not know.

    Nothing more. This hard thing.

    A sentence to utter often.

    Practice articulating these words.

    In solitude at first if need be, for familiarization.

    One brief declaration, then stop.

    Listen to what follows.

    Open mind. Open heart.

  • Winter House (Poem)

    I am come late to build my dwelling.

    It proceeds slowly, hampered by age and infirmity.

    Lest I get discouraged by this,

    I keep in mind that my life antecedent

    Has all been preparation.

    I now have more skillful means to construct a proper residence

    With patience, foresight, and expertise.

    The foundation has been laid through prior experience;

    The design has been shaped by acquired knowledge;

    The materials have been gathered with painstaking care.

    I know that I might not live to see the completion,

    But that is not the point.

    If need be, those who follow can finish;

    Whatever I manage to construct will be beautiful and sturdy.

  • The Seedling (Poem)

    I walked on the trail and saw

    Amongst the usual plants and trees

    A small sapling that appeared different.

    This thing is not like the other things,

    Thought I. But then I said

    Stop and look again and see.

    I did. Here is what I found:

    Like the other growing things,

    The little seedling grew from the earth;

    The branches reached to the sky;

    The wood was brown and the leaves green;

    The sun and rain and soil nourished it.

    This thing is utterly like the other things.

    So with all, if only we look closely

    With openness.

  • Chimerical Home (Poem)

    We all abide in temporary dwellings; none of our houses do we own.

    Whatever contract we established; whatever money we paid;

    Our residence remains ephemeral and always subject to sudden change.

    No matter what we devote to maintenance and decoration,

    We leave in the end for another transient domicile.

    Another moves in to change all our endeavors.

    Consider carefully where we place our time and effort.

    Wherever we go, we take only ourselves. Where then should be our attention?

  • Reality Tea Cup (Poem)

    Steam rises from the tea.

    Consider these things.

    When I lift the tea cup, I do so with wonder.

    I do not think, “oh, if only I had a different vessel!”

    When I sip the tea, I do so with appreciation.

    I do not think, “oh, if only this were a different drink!”

    This is the cup; this is the tea.

    Right here; right now; where I am in this moment.

    I drink with gratitude and enjoyment.

  • Integument (Poem For Feb 23-PouncePunk Art Challenge)

    This fragile skin encloses us all.

    A tender veil of different hues shelters each from harm.

    Pierce it, and the results come regardless of appearance.

    A common membrane ensures our well-being.

    And yet. This also defines us.

    We do not see another living being that is just like us.

    We focus on the myriad manifestations of this mortal wrap.

    You are this because. I am that because. We are not alike.

    Judgement and separation. We have built our world hence.

    Can we learn to undo this? To realize our selfsameness?

    Remake the swords of disconnection into ploughshares of compassion.

    Remove the veil of ignorance that prevents clear sight.

    Everyone and all things shine with the same pure light.

    Teach your children well.

  • Abstractus (Poem For Feb 22-PouncePunk22)

    What do we take from our daily experience?

    The constant barrage of information, be it correct or not,

    Loudly demands we pay attention.

    Rather than fostering any noetic pause for processing,

    This noise by design fuels ongoing addiction

    To strong emotion, usually of a negative character.

    We need regulation to combat this, both societal and individual.

    Let us learn to become responsible, not merely responsive.

    We are both curators and creators of our inner world.

    This cannot be separated from the outer.

    How then shall we choose to live?

  • Drink Me (Poem-Feb 12 PouncePunk Art Challenge)

    I sat in deep meditation and then.

    I fell through a rabbit hole.

    When I opened my eyes, I saw a bottle labeled “DRINK ME.”

    I noted the beautiful label and examined it.

    It smelled of cherry-tart, custard, and hot buttered toast.

    I was tempted by this intriguing offer but hesitated.

    A fierce rabbit appeared with a ticking watch and a mala.

    I heard the deep tone of a singing bowl and awakened.

    I see through the delusions of Mara.

    Poisons often come in pleasant forms.