Compassion: Home Remedies

Up to my eyeballs
In doubt;
Didn’t really meditate,
Just sat at first.

Quite out of it
But enjoyed the fog.
Later body settled into
Spontaneous breathing awareness;

Then pain
In back of shoulders
And neck;
Floated in this discomfort,

But aching all over followed;
Did yoga movements
While sitting, but
Caught in reflections again,

Thought, ‘everything leading
In the wrong direction now,
But what choice do I have?’
Worn out and achy.

Instead of feeling
Sorry for self,
Stretched, ate,
Ran a hot bath, and relaxed;

All effective,
My efforts worthwhile,
Even though bogged down in
Recurring theme: my current situation.

At bedtime noticed depression,
Thought, ‘hello, old friend,’
Relaxed into it,
Rolled over and slept.

Commute: Seeking Balance

Fed up with
Getting pulled by emotions;
Tried mindfulness of breathing
All day, instead.

Accomplished much
But restlessness,
Dissatisfaction
And criticism driven;

Pulled from task
To task,
Jobs to be done,
And perfectionism besides.

Mindfulness of all
Made settling into meditation easier,
But stillness broken
By mental busyness: chores to do.

Restlessness revitalized afterwards,
With incessant thinking
Compulsive cleaning,
But posture focus too.

When finished, sat for tea;
Met with shakiness, agitation,
Likely migraine coming
With the weather change;

The external atmosphere
Brought about internal alterations,
Which gave rise to turbulent moods,
Upon which the mind broods.

Finally flew angrily into exercising,
Drumming furniture and dancing war;
This frenzy vanquished the fury
By channeling the tempest,
And then at last mind came to rest.

Commotion: Out of Balance

Negative mood
But calm in the background;
Let everything be
And got some work done,

Then got pulled
Into everything again;
Compulsive thinking,
And worrying.

The ringing phone
Brought me back
Into now;
Again and again

I used this anchor
In the stormy seas,
So tiresome
And repetitive.

When will this
Exasperating irritation leave?
I will not
Grieve its departure,

But appreciate the contrast;
Yet, alas the difference
Keeps it going,
My ignorance is showing;

My ill will towards
This agitation,
Ensures its recurrence
And perpetuation;

My craving for ease,
Guarantees a continuation
Of these wild swings
From peace to chaos.