VERSES FOR ZEN BUDDHIST PRACTICE
Waking up in the morning
I vow with all beings
to listen to those whom I love,
especially to things they don't say.
Lighting a candle for Buddha
I vow with all beings
to honor your clear affirmation:
"Forget yourself and you're free."
When I stroll around in the city
I vow with all beings
to notice how lichen and grasses
never give up in despair
Watching a spider at work
I vow with all beings
to cherish the web of the universe:
touch one point and everything moves.
When the racket can't be avoided
I vow with all beings
to close my eyes for a moment
and find my treasure right here.
With tropical forests in danger
I vow with all beings
to raise hell with the people responsible
and slash my consumption of trees.
Watching gardeners label their plants
I vow with all beings
to practice the old horticulture
and let plants identify me.
On reading the words of Thoreau
I vow with all beings
to cherish our home-grown sages
who discern the perennial Way.
Falling asleep at last
I vow with all beings
to enjoy the dark and the silence
and rest in the vast unknown.
The Morning Star New and Selected Zen Writings
Verses on Robert Aitkin's spiritual practice of connection.