and all the complications in my heart:
I, who did not know how to love
my own body, who mistook
the world for a task. Listen:
one voice and then another
amid the rustling of the leaves.
by Nadia Colburn
This poem by poet and teacher Nadia Colburn is one of those where there is not much narrative or content to hold on to, but that has quite a profound effect on me when I let it percolate. I recognise myself as having complications in my heart, taking a long time to begin learning to love my body and frequently mistaking the world for a task – ouch! But even so, I too can listen to the aliveness of the moment…
It brings to mind the story of the Buddha gathering his students for one of his many Dharma talks. Instead of speaking, he held up a lotus flower – like this… It’s said that most of his students were trying to figure out what he meant, yet one of them smiled. I picture that smile, dawning slowly on his (or her!) face in radiant recognition, again no words needed…
Likewise, this poem invites me into the space beyond the words, where listening to the voices both outside and within myself is the way to bear witness and take part in life. What do you hear?
PS. Opening fully to the moment is both wordlessly simple and not necessarily easy, and a tried and tested pathway to travel with others and supported by someone who knows the terrain can be helpful! There’s a new Level 1 course starting soon…
Photo by Antoine Pouligny on Unsplash