Discovery: Exploring Absorption

Steeped in fatigue,
Lay down on the bed
And put attention on the breath,
Counting each inhale

And after a while
The mind quieted down
And what next arose
Was great happiness and joy,

Blissful feelings vibrated through
From head to toe,
Equaled by amazement
That such could be so,

Turned awareness towards this activity
And deep absorption ensued,
One pointed concentration and more,
As awareness deepened too;

How long these events lasted
Was difficult to know
But lay down at 8:30 pm
And did not rise ‘til midnight,

Getting up and stretching vigorously,
Feeling the body,
Experiencing the refreshment
Of the resulting replenishment;

Incredible to see
What a difference
Full absorption can bring,
What energy, what peace,

Such wonder in this
Simple practice,
Each time it’s repeated
When I’m feeling depleted.

Discomfort: Nose-a-Nuisance

Today’s main chores
To exercise and go to work
But a challenge came up
In the form of a nasty head cold,

Such a runny nose!
Unknown in recent memory,
No over-the-counter medicinal tricks
Could stop this tap form leaking,

Every remedy tried
Just created more frustration,
More tissues gone through
Than at an allergy suffers convention;

Holding a tissue
Under my nose
Throughout my shift
Did not enhance my experience

But I got through it somehow
And completed my tasks,
Gratefully heading home
To rest up for tomorrow’s jobs.

Such fatigue
From such small inconvenience
Seems incredible!
What a silly scene;

Readying a few items for the morning
And taking time
For loving-kindness practice,
To ease discomfort and soften the heart;

Snuffling away
As I prepare for bed
Relieved to be at home
And able to relax.

Disciplined: Managing Pain

Judging mind
And having so much pain,
How they go together?
I can’t figure out.

Lying on the bed
And howling anyway,
Writhing like a snake
And moaning like a cow.

Ah! That feels better,
At least for a while
But soon I’ve got to go to work,
So then, what now?

Tried slowing breathing
To a crawl,
Heard that’s an old yogi trick,
Thought I’d give it a try,

Breathing in slowly
And holding it for a while,
Breathing out fully
And letting it rest,

In, out,
At a gradual pace,
Muscles relaxing
And rising ease and peace;

Still extra analgesics
Were needed to function,
Drat this wonky weather
It’s shaking this body up.

Now, up and get dressed
And ready to go,
Put the boots on
And out into the cold.