In an effort to take
the “manic” out of “Monday,” this weekly post explores techniques, issues,
latest research, and other thoughts on meditation. Nancy facilitates a weekly
meditation group at The Awakening Center. For more information, contact her at
773.929.6262, extension 17 or nancyhalltac@gmail.com
In the Tuesday night meditation group, I like ending the
practice with a poem. I feel like this gives the right brain a little bit extra
to chew on even when the meditation is over. In the most recent group, I shared
the poem “Deciphering the
Alphabet” by Francine Sterle. Descriptions of animal tracks, weather, and terrain
remind us that our lives are always changing. This is the good news and the bad
news. Whatever is happening now—joy, suffering, pain, happiness—only exists in
the present and will eventually become something different. Perhaps the joy
will become deeper. Or hopefully the pain will subside. But the sweet may turn
bitter.
This is the double-edged sword that can both encourage and
undermine hope. We do have a say in this process though. We are not simply
passively waiting to see what shape our experience will take. Our suffering can
either deepen or be relieved because of our choices.
About halfway in the poem is this stanza that I was
particularly struck by:
Everything that moves leaves a story. No story
can exist by itself.
This critical stanza places the impermanence of nature
within a context—we are not alone. Everything that moves—which is, well,
everything—leaves traces or remnants. Our actions affect others—thus the importance
of the word leaves.
Our experience of meditation parallels this poem. It differs
each time we close our eyes and begin deeply breathing; and the practice may
change from moment to moment. But with it, we also create and then leave a
story.
As you move through our life, what story do you wish to
leave?
Enjoy your practice.
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