Entrenched: Deeply Engaged

Wild ride,
Coming home
To here
And setting off to shop,

Getting groceries
With gusto,
Not wanting
To stop!

Having
A wonderful time,
Being
And not being,

Remembering
And forgetting,
Feeling energy overflowing,
Rushing fully and deeply,

Not feeling sleepy
But zestfully present,
Not minding anything,
Not even opposition,

Fearlessly facing forward
And marveling at
The miracle
Of existence,

This life too short
But what’s it like?
Delicious!
When seen from a certain way

And what is that?
I couldn’t say
But I carry on enjoying it,
On, and on.

Entrapment: Stuck

Feeling sluggish,
Like nothing matters,
Under water,
Blowing bubbles;

Trying to get engaged,
Seeking the means
But discovering nothing
Except pipe dreams;

Disappointments
Keep piling up,
As if daily living
Wasn’t enough!

Struggling to get going
And falling back,
Trying again
But making no gains,

One minute it’s okay
And the next it’s a big deal,
Changing so fast
It makes me reel,

Running around
The hamster wheel
But at least it’s good exercise,
Even if it has no appeal!

Not making progress,
Except to yield
To the whole situation
And wait with patience,

As pretty soon
The picture will change
And then a new direction
Will emerge.

Entrance: Dukkha

If we base our happiness upon,
Whether we are rich or poor,
Happy or sad,
Or angry or at peace
Then we suffer!

If we base our happiness upon,
Whether or not we
Get what we want,
Or whether or not
The current conditions
Of our lives
Are to our liking,
Then we suffer!

If we base our happiness upon,
Whether it’s sunny or cloudy,
Hot or cold,
Wet or dry,
Then we suffer,

If we base our happiness upon
Whether we are
Healthy or sick,
Being born or dying,
Then we suffer,

If we base our happiness upon
Whether we are alone
All the time,
Or have many friends,
Who rally round us
Whenever we are in trouble,
Then we suffer!

And do we base our happiness upon
All of these
And more?
You bet we do!
And so, we suffer!