Deep in meditation
on a misty mountain morn ;
Carried off in mindless moments
where the "me" was never born ;
The sun broke through the morning haze
and made my body warm;
Bringing back the "I" to identify
with the mind and with the form.

I sat upon a giant root
that protruded from the ground;
Belonging to an ancient oak,
that begat the others 'round;
I serenaded Being
with a song upon my flute;
When from the mist...
a stranger came
and sat upon the root.

The ancient greybeard stranger
seemed much older than the oak;
With walking stick and sandals,
woolen robe and tattered cloak;
His voice was strong and steady
and his eyes were like twin sparks;
I thought of Abraham and Moses
and the other Patriarchs.

I was caught up
in the greybeard's words,
that seemed to pierce my soul;
It seemed a weight was lifted...
or a stone began to roll;
It was as if I'd been entombed,
now raising from the dead;
Spring had sprung and new life bloomed
from the words the greybeard said.

" As through this world I wander,
I meet many different kinds...
so many make me ponder...
as to what must cross their minds?
Why they see the things that Be...
through such distorted haze?
I know the answer to it all...
but ponder anyways.
But, I cannot see the chaos
that they believe exist;
There is nothing at a loss.
Nothing is amiss.
ALL is as it ought to be
and ought to be as is.
God works ALL things
in accordance to
the pleasure that is HIS.
I hear people cry for blessings...
the fact they cry...
shows that they're blessed.
Its because the suffering comes and goes,
that suffering they detest.
Suffering comes, then fades away...
and joy again is shown.
It is only due to suffering,
their pleasure can be known.

They can be set free
of both, you see...
If both, they will let go.
To cling to one,
is to grasp the other...
this creates the highs and lows.
The Bird of Paradise will flee,
if hand is clenched and clasped.
This, it will not stand.
It only lands
in hands that do not grasp.

Many seek an end to suffering...
"More Compassion" is their plea...

But, were it not for "seeming" suffering...
Compassion would not be.

It is only due to suffering,
that compassion can be found.

Let the world be FILLED with suffering...
That Compassion may abound!

The "artificial self"
is all that suffers;
And if the false "I" is transcended...
There can only be a Perfect Peace,
In which, suffering has ended.

There are many claiming to be cursed.
Of a blessing, theres no trace.
But every breath and beat of heart...
Is a blessing from His grace.

But, Ego loves to suffer.
It likes to think it stands alone.
It wont let the Spirit buffer
and it wants to keep it's throne.

They say the world is filled with darkness...
And that this darkness, we must fight;
But, it is only due to darkness...
That so many seek the Light.

They cannot hope to take the Yin...
And think the Yang they shun;
Grasping one, invokes the other...
Because the two are truly One.
They think that they can eat the "good"
and leave the "evil" be;
You're told to shun the knowledge of both...
Both are of one tree.
But, they think that they can pick and choose;
And wont give up the "choice";
They heed the ramblings in their minds;
And shun the Spirit's voice.
They will not break their clinging grasp
and let the "Knowledge" go;
They like the taste, so bitter sweet...
And like to think they "know".
Their prayers should be for praising...
the blessings that fill their days.
They should turn each and every obstacle
into an altar for HIS praise.
Rather than pray for riches...
to rise above the peasants;
Pray to be made Empty and Void
of all except HIS presence!

Tell me what is lacking ?
What is in excess ?
HE is ALL
that is in ALL...
And through HIM...
ALL is blessed.

Do not fear the New Day dawning...
as many rise from 'neath the sod.
You are told to just...Be Still
And KNOW that He is GOD !"

Then the greybeard stood again;
There was nothing more to say;
He disappeared somewhere within
and the fog lifted away.

***