(for Jake) Suppose you don’t know who you are or where the hell you fit in the universe. Suppose that makes you act like your father and you get caught in a body you mistake for your own. You reach out, feeling grumpy, for something to satisfy, skin, eyes, nose wanting contact: food, fame, sex, … More Dharma Poem: Suppose — A Rhapsody on the 12 Nidanas
(for sangha) Who is wholehearted? Knights slaying dragons? Disentangling maidens? Percival? Launcelot? Bright-eyed, pure? Right Arm of God? Who radiates from within Full of fire UnQuixotic? Who knows how to kneel? If you hold back you can’t be captain. You need conviction to raise a sword. Captain Whole Heart is no fool. She who forswears … More Dharma Poem: Captain Whole Heart
I get it BodhisattvasRUs same bodies same minds without the scars or the hooks of attachment 6 senses alive unhampered by this way or that shoveling sidewalks offering food me you bodhisattva no difference except for the glow the being-here-now that throws open the world © January 26, 2016 | Carolyn White
My husband was dying. But we didn’t know it–not yet. Daily I drove to the hospital. Walking the parking lot I focused on breathing until I turned into five streams: form and feelings, perceptions, volition and consciousness. The Buddha called them skandas. I knew them as streams pouring from me, shifting, subtle, nothing to sort … More Dharma Poem: The Five Skandas
Change the century The locale & Shakyamuni Leaves wife & child in Detroit Shaves his head & walks Highways, cafés Crowds along the beach Where to try austerities unseen? Or with like-minded?A lot more suffering in our times A lot more craving to set aside Still–lumber barons notwithstanding– The woods hold refuge White pine & … More Dharma Poem: Shakyamuni Leaves Detroit
Written by sangha member Robert Mosher Thursday, 12 March 2009 We meet together to learn how to use meditation to calm our inner thoughts and actions. We learn from each other how to live calmly in a world of stress, selfishness, and worry. Learning to help ourselves, frees us to better use our own religious … More For Newcomers: An Explanation of Our Practice
I wear a coat of many colors transparent as a rainbow a big coat that fills the universe & keeps me warm. Here! You can have it. Dotted with stars sand along the waters’ edge mountains artfully displayed sewn from my teacher’s words the only clothes that fit. © June 8, 2014 Carolyn White
Circumambulating a golden buddha, Flowers on the altar, I breathe in and take a step. I breathe out and take a second. Following my breath, Setting my foot down, I let go the past, Say no to the future, Only Here matters, Breath and step And the slow assembly of friends. A twirly young woman … More Dharma Poem: Go as a River
Buddha taught me to dance To step in when needed To step out when not To step aside When I can’t help I’m still awkward Too eager to speak Instead of opening my arms & following the lead Stepping up Stepping away Stepping in Stepping back when sure I’ve the answer Stepping in secret So … More Dharma Poem: Buddha Taught Me to Dance
How do I start? the disciple asked. Where do I enter the practice of Zen? Do you hear the stream’s murmur? the master said. There you may enter. Had they stood beside a busy road the answer is the same: enter the sound of traffic or the cry of a child or a siren’s wail. … More Dharma Poem: The Practice of Zen
