we practice and serve

We bow deeply to express our gratitude
to the land and animals,
the Earth & Sky,
and all of our ancestors, spiritual and blood
for their support and wisdom,
for helping us experience
a wonderful and transformative retreat
this Memorial Day Weekend.
All the joy and peace,
all the wholesome energy that we received,
we offer it to the benefit of all beings,
to our children
who we hold dear in our heart
as we practice and serve.


If you'd like to read more, please refer to:
http://www.deerparkmonastery.org/news/reflectionsfromretreat/noregrets.html

More photos from Deer Park albums available at:
http://deerparkmonastery.org/news/albums.html

And I bow to you, dearest Silvinha.

gatha for my beloved

My beloved,
All things pass away, and time
is precious.
Let us cherish our togetherness
now –
Each moment, each smile,
each day, each embrace –
before the sun sets
and darkness falls.

On this sacred day of
Buddha’s Awakening,
Remember, my heart-mate,
your bedroom is
your zendo.
Taking care of the little details,
you take care of Life Itself.
Every day is sesshin,
and every dust particle swept
is the saving of all beings.

All things pass away
and the sun is setting.
Now is the time, my beloved,
now is the time for loving.
Time is precious
and darkness is falling.
Now is the time.
Now, beloved.
Now.


by Brother Chi Sing
(Bodhi Day, December 8, 2004)


Gatha = verse of mindfulness
zendo = meditation hall
sesshin = meditation retreat

from the Music, Writing & Poetry page of Deer Park Monastery. To read more please refer to
http://www.deerparkmonastery.org/news/music.html

Photo: burning sunset ©Isaac Zilinsky

breathe, you are alive

Breathe and you know that you are alive.
Breathe and you know that all is helping you.
Breathe and you know that you are the world.
Breathe and you know that the flower is breathing you.
Breathe for yourself and breathe for the world.
Breathe in compassion and breathe out joy.

Breathe and be one with the air that you breathe.
Breathe and be one with the river that flows.
Breathe and be one with the earth that you tread.
Breathe and be one with the fire that glows.
Breathe and you break the thought of birth and death.
Breathe and you see impermanence is life.

Breathe for your joy to be steady and calm.
Breathe for your sorrow to flow away.
Breathe to renew every cell in your blood.
Breathe to renew the depths of consciousness.
Breathe and you dwell in the here and now.
Breathe and all you touch is new and real.

Breathe.



from the Plum Village Chanting Book. This song can be heard at the page below (just click on the green button under A Basket of Plums to start the song):
http://www.deerparkmonastery.org/news/music.html

Photo ©Tijen Inaltong; and I dedicate this post to you, my dearest: breathe, we are alive!