Interior World
Many of us have a strong habit
of getting bogged down
by the exterior aspects of life:
politics, news, work, relationships, and finances
to name a few.
This can cause us to feel
that we’re stuck with a life
that is devoid of meaning and joy.
Not only that, but this can bind us
to a limiting version of reality,
and we suffer as its consequence.
The interior world of mind and heart
are neglected when our whole focus
is given to external values.
Therefore, spiritual teachings
often invite us to pause
and turn our attention inward
to cultivate the wealth of wisdom,
love, and compassion.
(Tibetan Buddhist teacher in the Nyingma tradition)
Making Light
We are candles burning,
sometimes sputtering,
sometimes steady,
with the same task
as the stars
in their majesty
making light.
~Elias Amidon
(Spiritual Director of the Open Path and Sufi Way)
Imperfections
Perfection is overrated, boring.
It’s the imperfections—
the vulnerabilities, the weaknesses,
the human elements—
that make us who we are,
that make us real,
beautiful…necessary.
~Guy Harrison
(1963 to pres., American author)
Sacred Tree
It may be that some little root
of the sacred tree still lives.
Nourish it then,
that it may leaf and bloom
and fill with singing birds.
~Black Elk
(1863-1950, Oglala Sioux Elder)
Turn It Over
I just needed
to turn my life over
to whoever came up with
redwood trees.
~Jane Hirshfield
(1953 to pres., American Poet)
All Is Love
Every word of every tongue is
Love telling a story to her own ears.
Every thought in every mind,
She whispers a secret to her own Self.
Every vision in every eye,
She shows her beauty to her own sight.
Every smile on every face,
She reveals her own joy for herself to enjoy.
Love courses through everything,
No, Love is everything.
How can you say, there is no love,
when nothing but Love exists?
All that you see has appeared because of Love.
All shines from Love,
All pulses with Love,
All flows from Love–
No, once again, all IS Love!
~Fakhruddin Iraqi
(1213-1289. Persian poet)
Oneness With God
A fish cannot drown in water,
A bird does not fall in air.
In the fire of creation,
God doesn’t vanish:
The fire brightens.
Each creature God made
must live in its own true nature;
How could I resist my nature,
That lives for oneness with God?
~Mechthild of Magdeburg
(1207 – 1297, Christian medieval mystic)
