“Wings of Love and Longing” — Author Unknown
When longing lures us from sleep to follow the flutter of wings playing around the heart, a soft breath carries remembrance of the long grateful sigh of breaking free from whatever binds and confines the wings of our souls.
“In My Soul” by Rabia — 8th C, poetess of Islam
In my soul there is a temple, a shrine, a mosque, a church.
Prayer should bring us to an altar where no walls or names exist.
“Hymn of the Universe” (excerpt) by Pierre Teilhard de Chardin
Since once again, Lord — though this time not in the forests of the Aisne but in the steppes of Asia — I have neither bread, nor wine, nor altar, I will raise myself beyond these symbols, up to the pure majesty of the real itself; I, your priest, will make the whole earth my altar and on it will offer you all the labours and sufferings of the world.
“Can You Hear The Mountain Stream?” — Author Unknown
A Zen Master was walking in silence with one of his disciples along a mountain trail. When they came to an ancient cedar tree, they sat down under it for a simple meal of some rice and vegetables. After the meal, the disciple, a young monk who had not yet found the key to the mystery of Life, broke the silence by asking the Master, "Master, how do I enter Life?"
He was, of course, inquiring how to enter the state of consciousness which is Life.
"The Strength of Weakness” by Richard Seymour
Be wary of the very strong
And they shall become weak.
Be dismissed as being weak
And that shall be your strength.
“Ego” — Unknown Author
The Prime Minister of the Tang Dynasty was a national hero for his success as both a statesman and military leader. But despite his fame, power, and wealth, he considered himself a humble and devout Buddhist. Often he visited his favorite Zen master to study under him, and they seemed to get along very well.
"Truth Is" by Adyashanti
Truth is only discovered in the moment.
There is no truth that can be carried over
to the next moment, the next day, the next year.
Memory never contains truth, only what is past, dead, gone.
Buddha Tells a Parable
A man traveling across a field encountered a tiger. He fled, the tiger after him. Coming to a precipice, he caught hold of the root of a wild vine and swung himself down over the edge.
"What I Believe is Who I Am" by Rebecca Braun
I am
The mantra is clear.
I am
Connecting to spirit.
I am…
“Self Control” — Zen Story
One day there was an earthquake that shook the entire Zen temple. Parts of it even collapsed. Many of the monks were terrified. When the earthquake stopped the teacher said, "Now you have had the opportunity to see how a Zen man behaves in a crisis situation.