Sitting With Buddha

I sat with the Buddha in the shade.
He never once opened his eyes,
deep in silent meditation,
but his awareness was anchored
in this world.

A single shaft of light
found its way
through the trees
and fell on my face.
I had to close my eyes
to realize I was lit up
in his presence.

He returned me to the place,
far below, in the earth, beneath us all,
where a river flows freely.
He reached his cupped hands
into this darkness
and showered me.

I confess, in that moment,
I was not enlightened.
But he was not disappointed.
Instead, the only thing
I felt from him was love
as if he was watering
the soil for the seed
of a new life.

photo taken at Omega Institute in Rhinebeck, NY during a Workshop with Mark Nepo.

Spirit moves through us in magical ways and we never know when it will grant us an audience with the divine. Iconic images of enlightened ones offer an opportunity, but no guarantee. I have sat before spiritual images and never experienced the flash of enlightenment. Now, I look to writing and inner work to lift something up from the depths that might water the seeds of new life.

How do you water the soil for the seeds of a new life?
Scroll down to watch a video recital of the poem.

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