April 19, 2022

01

Returning to the silence
in a regular,
routine,
rhythmic kind of way,
establishes us in a practice
incorporating emptiness
and stillness,
along with the silence
in establishing
and maintaining a connection
with our original nature
and the virtues that are ours
from the beginning--
equipping us to meet
each day's deliveries
in the strengths
that are ours to use
doing what needs to be done
in each situation as it arises,
day by day.

We have what in takes in the gifts
that are ours to use,
but we have to take the time
to remember that
in order to avail ourselves of it,
and draw from it what we need
for the work of being who we are
within the context and circumstances 
of the day.

The right kind of silence,
stillness and emptiness
link us with the resources
and the resolve
for meeting what waits
along the way,
and serves as a wellspring
ever-flowing throughout our life.

–0–

02

We get to our original nature
by being clear about what is "me"
and what is "not me,"
what is our "primary mask,"
and what is our "antithetical mask,"
what is authentic about us
and what is affectation.

What is "just us,"
and what is "the me we wish we were"?

Our authentic self
is awash in our original nature,
and reeks of the virtues
that are ours from birth,
exhibiting "the face that was ours
before our grandparents were born."

Our authentic self
waits for us to relax ourselves
into all that "we always have been,
and what we will be."

Why the resistance? 
Why even any hesitation?

Relaxing is being natural.
And in itself alone,
adds years of congeniality 
and cordiality to our life.

Why wouldn't we go for that
the rest of the way?

It is the truest thing
there is about us.
Why would we run from that?

The Gateless Gate reminds us
that we are only a slight perspective shift
away!

–0–