On this day before the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks, I want to share what I think is one of the most moving songs I’ve ever heard about this terrible event that broke our hearts and for a time united people all over the world in our common humanity. The song is called […]
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Tag Archives: poem
Whose Silence Are You? Thomas Merton Poem and Music
2011/06/14 
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Thomas Merton was a Trappist monk who was well-known as a social activist, writer, and poet. An deep student of comparative religion, Merton was a keen proponent of interfaith dialog. He became close friends with prominent Eastern spiritual teachers, such as the Dalai Lama, D.T. Suzuki, and my own heart teacher, Vietnamese Zen Master Thich […]
Continue reading Thich Nhat Hanh – “Contemplation” – Poem and Music
2011/06/11 0 Comments
Contemplation A Poem by Thich Nhat Hanh Since the moon is full tonight, let us call upon the stars in prayer. The power of concentration, seen through the bright, one-pointed mind, is shaking the universe. All living beings are present tonight to witness the ocean of fear flooding the Earth. Upon the sound of the […]
Continue reading D. H. Lawrence-Song of a Man Who Has Come Through
2010/10/24 1 Comment
Song of a Man Who Has Come Through by D.H. Lawrence Not I, not I, but the wind that blows through me! A fine wind is blowing the new direction of Time. If only I let it bear me, carry me, if only it carry me! If only I am sensitive, subtle, oh, delicate, a […]
Continue reading The Truth of Silent Illumination
2010/10/12 4 Comments
Silently and serenely one forgets all words; Clearly and vividly That appears… When one realizes it, it is vast and without limit; It is Essence, it is pure awareness. Singularly reflecting in this bright awareness, Full of wonder in this pure reflection… Infinite wonder permeates this serenity; In this Illumination all intentional efforts vanish. Silence […]
Continue reading Kabir-“I Said To The Wanting-Creature Inside Me”-Poem and Music
2010/09/15 1 Comment
Here is another beautiful poem from the Indian mystic and poet Kabir. It’s called “I Said To The Wanting-Creature Inside Me.” May this poem, and the music that follows it, inspire you to empty your life of whatever would keep you from the happiness of being truly present in what you are! I Said To […]
Continue reading For the Sake of Strangers-Poem and Music
2010/07/19 10 Comments
For the Sake of Strangers by Dorianne Laux No matter what the grief, its weight, we are obliged to carry it. We rise and gather momentum, the dull strength that pushes us through crowds. And then the young boy gives me directions so avidly. A woman holds the glass door open, waits patiently for my […]
Continue reading Poem-Mary Oliver-The Hermit Crab
2010/07/16 1 Comment
The Hermit Crab Mary Oliver Once I looked inside … the darkness ……of a shell folded like a pastry ………and there was a fancy face— or almost a face— …it turned away ……and frisked up its brawny forearms ………so quickly against the light …and my looking in ……I scarcely had time to see it, ………gleaming […]
Continue readingA Blessing-Beyond the Face of Fear-Poem and Music
2010/06/23 1 Comment
blessing the boats (at St. Mary’s) may the tide that is entering even now the lip of our understanding carry you out beyond the face of fear may you kiss the wind then turn from it certain that it will love your back may you open your eyes to water water waving forever […]
Continue reading “I Thank You” – e.e. cummings – Poem and Music
2010/06/09 7 Comments
This my favorite e.e. cummings poem. Though it’s been a friend for over 40 years now, it still makes my heart soar, “which is natural which is infinite which is yes!” (If you are curious as to why a “Buddhst” blog would have posts with references to God in them, you might want to take […]
Continue readingListen to Your Heart-A Poem
2010/06/07 4 Comments
I haven’t tried to write poetry in a long, long time, but when this appeared at the door, so to speak, I let it in. I hope you find it helpful. And, I hope it’s poetry! Listen to Your Heart One says: “There is nothing to practice. Just be. Let your true nature emerge. Don’t […]
Continue reading Kabir – “The Sound” – Poem and Music
2010/06/07 1 Comment
The Sound by Kabir The flute of the interior is played whether we hear it or not, What we mean by “love” is its sounding coming in. When love hits the farthest edge of excess, it reaches a wisdom. And the fragrance of that knowledge! It penetrates our thick bodies, it goes through walls— Its […]
Continue reading Rumi Poem-“Quietness” and “No Longer Mourn for Me” (music)
2010/05/07 13 Comments
As balm for your hearts and minds, I offer this poem by the Sufi poet Rumi and some exquisite music from Ensemble Galilei on their album Come, Gentle Night – Music of Shakespeare’s World. Quietness Inside this new love, die. Your way begins on the other side. Become the sky. Take an axe to the […]
Continue reading The Sufi Mystic and the Punjabi Rock Musician (audio)
2010/05/06 1 Comment
From time to time, I like to share insights from other traditions to broaden the scope of Metta Refuge. I am quite fond of the Sufi mystics and poets, such as Rumi: Rumi—Learn the Alchemy True Human Beings Know Taking Care of Our Heart Donkey This Being Human is a Guest House Today, I want […]
Continue reading Mary Oliver, the Buddha and a Poem called “Spring” with Music
2010/04/29 6 Comments
Few poets speak to my heart as Mary Oliver does. Here’s another one of her remarkable poems that has moved my heart. It’s called “Spring,” and it’s from her collection of poems and prose poems called West Wind—highly recommended! At the end of the poem I’ve also posted some music I think you enjoy. It […]
Continue reading Among Trees – Quiet and Still
2010/03/19 3 Comments
An untitled poem from from a collection of Wendell Berry’s poems called A Timbered Choir: The Sabbath Poems 1979-1997 I go among trees and sit still. All my stirring becomes quiet around me like circles on water. My tasks lie in their places Where I left them, asleep like cattle. Then what is afraid of […]
Continue readingDo You Hear the Call of the Wild Geese?
2010/03/18 6 Comments
Wild Geese by Mary Oliver You do not have to be good. You do not have to walk on your knees For a hundred miles through the desert, repenting. You only have to let the soft animal of your body love what it loves. Tell me about your despair, yours, and I will tell you […]
Continue readingPoem – Today is the Day You Have Been Waiting For
2010/03/18 0 Comments
Today Today is the day you have been waiting for when you would finally begin to live when you would at last open the door. This is the what, the circumstance, the more you have been withholding, saving to give. Today is the day you have been waiting for when you could sit down to […]
Continue readingDogen Poem-I Awaken to the True Path
2009/12/29 0 Comments
Drifting pitifully in the whirlwind of birth and death, As if wandering in a dream, In the midst of illusion I awaken to the true path; There is one more matter I must not neglect, But I need not bother now, As I listen to the sound of the evening rain Falling on the roof […]
Continue reading Rumi -This Being Human is a Guest House
2009/11/30 4 Comments
This being human is a guest house. Every morning a new arrival. A joy, a depression, a meanness, some momentary awareness comes as an unexpected visitor. Welcome and attend them all! Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows, who violently sweep your house empty of its furniture, still, treat each guest honorably. He may be […]
Continue readingMay All Beings Be Happy
- Looking at the Ninth Zen Precept-I Do Not Indulge In Anger
- True God, True Buddha
- The Difference Between Compassion and “Idiot Compassion”
- Ajahn Brahmavamso teaches Loving-kindness Meditation
- Now-and-Zen-Are you still carrying her?
- A Buddhist Mantra based on the Prayer of St. Francis
- Mindfulness of Breathing-The Anapanasati Sutta
- Buddhist Forgiveness-When We Have Hurt Another-Part 3
- Healing the Body with Mindfulness of Breathing
- Practicing the Middle Way-not too much, not too little
- Look at the Three Characteristics in Terms of Actions
- Thich Nhat Hanh – Healing Through Resting in the Breath
- How Metta Can Help You When Meditation is Hindered by Overwhelming Feelings
- The Importance of Taking the “Should” out of Spiritual Practice
- Can We “Choose” to Be Happy? No—and Yes!
- Ken Mcleod on how to use Thich Nhat Hanh’s Five-Step Method of Emotional Releasing
- Non-resistance and the Art of Resisting without Resisting!
- Don’t be fooled! There is a Way and We Can Walk It!
- The Importance of Compassion in Assessing Our Dharma Progress
- Jesus and the Buddha on Good Friday
Metta Refuge 