zen – Ancient Skies

The Zen Teacher

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I was listening to NPR (National Public Radio) one day and the guest being interviewed was a Zen Buddhist teacher.

She is also African American and gay. I do enjoy much of the wisdom and philosophy of Buddhism even though I’m not Buddhist.

And this teacher said some things that registered with me. Such as overcoming suffering by an internal change,

by sitting and quieting our spirits, and by love, understanding who we are in the space we’ve been given.

And the change needs to be collective to impact our world.

In my younger days of being a super conservative person of faith, I would have condemned this teacher

and never even listened to her simply because of who she is, but instead I learned some things that day.

My point is we need to listen to people, accept our differences and learn from one another.

Diversity brings growth.

Amen.

Note: The teacher is Angel Kyodo Williams

The Silence Calls to Me

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As my walk goes deeper into the forest, the silence calls to me.

Cooler air envelops the trees

covered by the shade, I turn suddenly when a sparrow leaves her nest.

Noticing the sunlight is diffused now

looking with my heart filled,

I bow my head

as a lone crow ruffles his feathers

disturbed by my sense

of quiet.

We do make peace and then…..

I let the words flow,

but is it really a prayer?

Our Heart Song Riding on the Wind

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You didn’t really hear me when I spoke but I was aiming more for the sky instead of your ear,

hoping the words would ascend floating

around in the heavens replaying

in the form of a song,

encouraging us

again and again. You looked up

and feathers began falling reminding us of snow,

it was some sort of sign I’m sure

we stood there

knowing we were the prayer

our heart song riding……

on the wind now.

The Words I’ve Been Carrying

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I turn towards the light, spinning some words, singing a phrase

expecting the revelation, instead water falls on me

but I am cleansed mostly

fig leaves never hiding me

or the words I’ve been carrying for so long,

waiting to write. So I begin again….

We all have a story.

Each of Us a River

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As victory courses through our veins, yet hidden within

we can grasp a few lines,

discovering our light

and even a piece of hope

realizing

scars really can lose their power,

loosing control, or any influence at all

over who we are now.

Each of us river,

in our own right.

The Mystery of a Poem

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The mystery of a poem dwells within our hearts,

as we connect and flow,

turning over words

until

we are a river

from the sacred mountains.

His Heart Really Could Soar

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Having rejected the blood of kings, and thrones, and swords called devils, he had always embraced the wind.

So he stood there, on top of the mountain with his arms outstretched and a mist in his eyes, remembering

the light he’d been given. And that his heart really could soar, in spite of the violence….. of our world.

Tag: zen