I am still landing from the LBC's Women's Intensive meditation retreat. So many insights, and many that I am sure will find their way into this blog. I am still absorbing it and may be for some time.
But this piece of writing - not sure if it's prose or poetry - came almost fully formed on Wednesday, the middle day of the retreat, while out on a walk. It is an extended reflection on two lines from a poem read out that morning, which seemed to rip through me emotionally. May it bring you a taste of peace as you read it.
"The human body at peace with itself
Is more precious than the rarest jewel."
And rarer still, for such instants of peace
Come seldom, and swift.
Un-grasp-able.
Like a flash of blue -
A diving kingfisher's wing
Caught by the sun.
Or a darting swallow,
Or a rabbit running for home.
Or the bloom of a rose,
Or the sun breaking through cloud,
Or a raindrop on a green leaf.
Hold them lightly.
Let them come,
Let them go.
Let the earth bear witness.
Offer them up to the shrine, to be received
And pass away.
For a flash, a taste, is enough.
Like the light from a flickering candle,
A breath of incense,
A sip of tea
From a warm mug
Cradled in the hands.
A smile, a kind glance, a brief touch.
More precious than the rarest jewel -
This human body,
Received kindly,
Just as it is with its many faults,
At peace with itself.
May there be peace
Om shanti
Shanti
Shanti.
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