Poetry Chaikhana Blog

Stumble
and so see the sky.

Recognize the magical
in the mundane.

The great, flowing vastness
one is…
well, it is perceived,
but it is not known.

No one gets to heaven
by following the rules
— or breaking them.
Heaven must burst forth from your breast.

Finding that light, we discover
that we too shine
like the stars within the deep mystery.

Every ignoble act says —
“Save me from myself!”
Every noble act says
the same.

With each new insight
take a new action
to claim it.

The seasons of the self blossom
and turn inward again,
and through it all there is a still point within us
quietly watching, accepting, smiling.

Theory and debate can never satisfy
the seeking heart.

Instead of memorizing the words of scripture,
become the blank page
that effortlessly displays them.

Some days it’s best
to do nothing
but ring like a tapped bell.

The holiest place
we can discover

is immediately behind the breastbone.

Let every experience
be fuel for the fire
of love.

Balance must be discovered
anew
each day.

Simple contentment
unlocks so many doors
along the way.

Finally, finally we fall silent.
Finally, we witness ourselves as we are.

A miracle isn’t an event or an experience.
It is a moment of recognition:
We glimpse the wider reality,
and what we witness washes us away.