Okay,
Today we'll practice a form of contemplation with the aid of a poem.
You know,
I found that certain poems can act to center our attention,
Kind of disrupt our default processing,
That sort of inner chatter.
And certain poems can really open us up to renewed possibilities.
So I'll guide us to center in meditation and then read you a poem once or twice and offer a reflection that you might meditate upon or journal into and share.
So let's begin.
Close your eyes.
Come into a comfortable seated position and assume a posture of dignity and ease.
And take a few deep breaths as you attempt to arrive here almost instantly.
This is your time to be present.
Just let your attention land here by becoming aware of any sensations on the skin.
Give exquisite attentiveness to the breath's sensations and to any sense of smell.
And tend to the visual plane behind closed eyelids.
Observe any sensations of light and dark,
Any images the mind is trying to fabricate.
And just foster a fully receptive mode of being.
The poem by William Stafford that I will read you is titled Any Morning.
As I read it first I invite you simply to allow its lines and rhythm and images to wash over your imagination.
Just absorb it.
Just lying on the couch and being happy.
Only humming a little.
The quiet sound in the head.
Trouble is busy elsewhere at the moment.
It has so much to do in the world.
Only humming a little.
The quiet sound in the head.
Trouble is busy elsewhere at the moment.
It has so much to do in the world.
People who might judge are mostly asleep.
They can't monitor you all the time and sometimes they forget.
When dawn flows over the hedge you can get up and act busy.
Little corners like this,
Pieces of heaven left lying around can be picked up and saved.
People won't even see that you have them.
They are so light and easy to hide.
Later in the day you can act like the others.
You can shake your head.
You can frown.
I'll read that poem a second time in a moment but you know I just wanted to say it can be so challenging in this rushed world to permit ourselves just a little space to delight in ordinary quiet moments of doing nothing.
Nothing except maybe appreciating such a moment and yet appreciation can be a gateway to a private kind of heaven on earth.
Now I'll read it a second time and this time you might wonder what is a piece of heaven you've experienced recently.
Any morning just lying on the couch and being happy.
Only the little quiet sound in the head.
Trouble is busy elsewhere at the moment.
It has so much to do in the world.
People who might judge are mostly asleep.
They can't monitor you all the time and sometimes they forget.
When dawn flows over the hedge you can get up and act busy.
Little corners like this,
Pieces of heaven left lying around can be picked up and saved.
People won't even see that you have them.
They are so light and easy to hide.
Later in the day you can act like the others.
You can shake your head.
You can frown.
So you might pause this audio and reflect upon your own piece of heaven you've experienced recently or just take a moment now to absorb the sensations of that poem and appreciate being right here,
Right now.
Now let your imaginative memory take you back to a time when you were young and you felt free and alive to be your most unique self,
Your most unique expression,
That force of character fully activated.
Perhaps gathering pieces of heaven.
Maybe you're seven or eight,
Nine or ten or older.
That's better for you.
Just take a moment to observe the images that come up as you witness that young genius and with appreciation,
Compassion and admiration just observe that young genius.
What are the three adjectives that might describe those genius strengths?
You might write down those strengths and traits to bring them with you at work.
And then center yourself and check in with your sense of devotion.
Ask yourself what am I devoted to?
What impactful work or intentional way of being am I standing in love and wonder?
And finally ask yourself what am I curious about today?
Where might I harness my curiosity?
Okay,
Well as you go through this day and this week,
You might upon occasion pause and put a piece of heaven in your pocket and then share it with us.
Thanks for showing up to practice with me.
I really appreciate it.
Be well and thanks for running with me.
