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*Brian Wilcox. 'Androscoggin River Series~no. 25'
a felt experience left to itself
has no certitude nor incertitude
it is free
*Charles Genoud. Beyond Tranquility.
goodness with contentment
is
great blessing
*Christian Bible, I Timothy 6.6
* * *
A follower said, "You shared with us recently about contentment. Could you share more about what that means to you?" The Sage began...
An elderly monk was sweeping the monastery yard, while the sun shone hot on a summer afternoon. A young monk approached him.
How old are you?
I'm seventy-seven.
You're so old! Why are you still working so hard here?
Because I'm here.
But why are you working under the scorching sun?
Because the sun is here.
* * *
Over a year ago, I injured my left shoulder. After rehabbing it, the shoulder feels better on most days; yet sometimes the pain is severe. Often when in the Silence, the pain is pulsing. In the Silence, the pain increases, a reason is I am not moving. After a time, I am aware the shoulder and arm have become tight. I can move the arm and shoulder, and this brings temporary relief. Sometimes, relief comes by consciously relaxing the tightness, without any movement. At times, I smile inwardly to the shoulder, and then a smile comes on my face. This smile leads to feeling a welcoming of the pain, befriending it.
I have accepted this may be normal for my life now. I am okay with that. In being present with the pain, harmony is, so the pain and I are not at enmity. The pain is neither bad nor good, wrong nor right, against me nor for me. I am present, pain is present, the Silence is present... accepting that, all is well.
Seeker: Do you have times when all isn't well?
Sage: Yes.
Seeker: What happens?
Sage: That becomes well.
Seeker: How does not well become well?
Sage: By accepting not well as not well.
Seeker: I'm confused.
Sage: That's well, too.
* * *
©️ Brian Wilcox, 2020
Brian can be contacted at briankwilcox@gmx.com; his book, An Ache for Union: Poems on Oneness with God through Love, is available through major online booksellers, including Amazon and Books-A-Million, or via the publisher, AuthorHouse.
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