there is a meditation practice
watching everything arising, inside and outside
responding with a gentle,
"not me"
this thought - "not me"
this anger - "not me"
this leg - "not me"
"not me"
it is a Big Truth
all this stuff is unfolding
in a giant performance art piece we call The Universe
and we are just a witness to this flow
They say the opposite of a small truth is a lie, but the opposite of a big truth is another big truth
is it not equally true to say to everything - "me" ?
this anger - "me"
this song - "me"
this wafting scent of honeysuckle - "me"
the silent waterfall in the trees - "me"
the cackling crow - "me"
the movements of this body - "me"
the vast yearning of the soul, and the small, petty thoughts - "me" and also "me"
to call ourselves but witnesses
does not do justice to the juice that flows down our chin as we bite into this life
to our wovenness in this web of flesh and story
no, there is no way out of this
this is our world, our fleshy body, and we are bigger and more whole than we ever realized
and more fragile, and more real
and we awaken
with heartbroken tears of gratitude
arms wide
calling everything in
come home
come home
you are me again, and always
Notes:
The title of the poem is borrowed from the book of the same name by Joanna Macy.
The saying about the opposite of a small truth and a big truth is attributed to quantum physicist Niels Bohr.
Daniel Kieval currently lives in Western Massachusetts along the Connecticut River. Lately he most enjoys spending time creating art, taking it slow, and exploring wild places (outer and inner).
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