Flickering thoughts at Emoyeni
(by Liz Barrow - New Year Retreat 2002)
The end of the year is here again.
Who am I? The old refrain.
We sit on cushions to contemplate
to bring us to the gateless gate.
Time to slow down, time to reflect,
making some space to reconnect.
Time away from the buzz of the town,
taking the chance to try and slow down.
Buddhahood is in each of us,
So what's the point of all our fuss?
If we soften our hearts and stay awake
from moment to moment, that's all it will take.
Impermanence is here to stay
as sure as night will follow day.
No point in putting up a fight,
each day will pass and end in night.
We could each be moments away from death,
but please don't fret, just notice each breath.
The theory is easy, the practice is tough,
To stay in the present when life gets rough.
Retreats are a mix of this and that.
Moments of bliss and times when one's flat.
Plump warmth of tomato dropped in my hand,
Was enough to eclipse the plummeting Rand.
My flickering mind with thoughts in a riot,
The moon floating up in stately quiet,
The heat and the mozzie that won't go away,
The thunder at night and the cool gray day.
We've all had a go at pulling out weeds,
While Johann and Mervyn are planting good seeds
for a place where the Sangha can gather and meet
to share in the birth of this bush veld retreat.
I look forward to the coming year,
delighted to know this place is here.
I wish us courage in the risks we may take
and wish us well in the decisions we make.