We Are...

 I love this poem. It encourages me to hold on to the belief that we are more than our minds. It encourages me to hold on to the belief that we are all connected. It encourages me to hold on to the belief that we are souls.  We do not have souls like we have a wallet. We are less, and we are more. 

Yo No Soy Yo

I Am Not I

I am not I.

I am this one

walking beside me whom I do not see,
whom at times I manage to visit,
and whom at other times I forget;
the one who remains silent while I talk,
the one who forgives, sweet, when I hate,
the one who takes a walk when I am indoors,
the one who will remain standing when I die.   

   

Juan Ramon Jimenez   

        

You don’t need to change who you are—you only need to remember.

Jack Kornfield 

   

image:  CA Buckeye with Ladybug, Oyster Bay, San Leandro
   

With Gratitude to Jack Kornfield

 Early this morning I read that National Geographic 

believes older women should get out in nature more.   

I would agree that modest adventure is good for some of us, 

and wild adventure is good for others, 

but yes, if possible, all of us should get up and go.

So I decided to take my rain jacket for a modest walk. 

I love my jacket.    

It keeps me dry and does not complain about doing so.

It seems to enjoy, like most of us, being asked to come along 

rather than left to hang around in a crowded dark closet. 

It kindly leaves my hands free to help my phone take pictures.

Yes,  the three of us went for a walk. 

It did rain, but not hard. Did that make us an intrepid party of four?

I was startled by a flock of birds that I heard 

take off before I saw them.   

Actually, I do not know how many creatures, including 

birds and trees and fallen leaves still in their colors, and rain, 

and the skittish grey cat, and neighbors who said hello, 

 joined me on this small adventure. 

I just knew I was not alone.   

  

Before I left, I listened to a presentation by the wise Jack Kornfield. 

As I walked I pondered the difference between 

awareness, and compassionate awareness. 

At least, I think that is what he was talking about.  

Regardless, we all know people who express 

their awareness like a pouncing lion.  

They sense weakness and have a mission  

to make themselves known just before they try to devour us. 

I confess that on occasion I, too, have jumped to make myself known.  

Yet, there is another awareness that includes compassion.   

That is very different.  A knowing that does not consume 

but makes room.  Lots of room.  

Enough for the whole world. 

Today has been a beautiful adventure.   

It is not quite noon.  

I still have time, and some room, to learn.     

      

 

 

say, November 2024