Like this.....

Our teacher, Shannon, recited the following Rumi poem during a pratice she lead recently. It bears repeating ( and memorizing, which is why I'm typing it here). I love it.

Like this.

If anyone asks you
how the perfect satisfaction
of all of our sexual wanting
will look, lift your face
and say, like this.

When someone mentions the gracefulness
of the night sky, climb up on the roof
and dance and say, "Like this?"

If anyone wants to know what "spirit" is,
or what God's fragrance means,
lean your head toward him or her.
Keep your face there close.
Like this.

When someone quotes the old poetic image
About clouds gradually uncovering the moon,
Slowly loosen knot by knot the strings
of your robe, like this?

If anyone wonders how Jesus raised the dead,
don't try to explain the miracle.
Kiss me on the lips.
Like this. Like this.

When someone asks what it means
to die for love point,
Here.

If someone asks how tall I am, frown
and measure with your fingers the space
between the creases on your forehead.
This tall.

The Soul sometimes leaves the body, then
returns.
When someone doesn't believe that,
walk back into my house.
Like this.

When lovers moan,
they're telling my story.
Like this.

I am a sky where spirits live.
Stare into this deepening blue,
while the breeze says a secret.
Like this.

When someone asks what there is to do,
light the candle in his hand.
Like this.

How did Joseph's scent come to Jacob?
Huuuuuuuuuuuuuu.

How did Jacob' sight return?
Huuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu.

A little wind cleans the eyes.
Like this.

When Shams comes back from Tabriz,
he'll put his head around the edge
of the door to surprise us.
Like this.

--Rumi

And we are surprised by grace in the same way.

We already have it!

Do you feel that your life is lacking? Have you despaired that you will never transcend the need for less than constructive habits? Well, Donna Farhi has encouragement. She tells us in her book, Yoga, Body Mind, and Spirit, that we have everything within us that we need to heal ourselves and embody our highest ideals. Thich Nhat Hanh says the same in his book, Understanding Our Mind. According to him, we have seeds, or bija, within us for any possibility. What we manifest is a result of the seeds we cultivate, the seeds we water and fertilize. So farm the good by eating well, practicing earnestly, and loving yourself. This is the best resolution you can make in the new year, along with reading up on these accomplished writers and practitioners. There is an obvious connection between Castle's ideas and those of Farhi's. No doubt the juxtaposition of these readings was by the design of our brilliant teachers. I have more to say about Farhi but will save it for another post. At this point, the thing that I really want to sink in is that we are ALL, each one of us, already perfect. We have only to apprehend it.

BTW, check out Victoria Castle's (of Trance of Scarcity fame) newsletter at http://www.tranceofscarcity.com/ .