Becoming Humble

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Imagine trying to generate even the slightest bodhicitta -- the intention to become fully enlightened in order to benefit all sentient beings most effectively -- in a prison environment. It's similar to generating compassion in hell! Although we are all prisoners of our negative karma, negative emotions, and disturbing attitudes, we still have this precious human life. Nothing can ever take away our Buddha potential. Ven. Chodron and the prisoners with whom she corresponds offer practitioners insights into how they can benefit themselves and others in even the most difficult situations.

Excerpts:

While he was going on and on, I could see the anger on the surface fine, but also I started to see all of the suffering underneath. It was weird, because it was so evident to me that I could almost feel it physically. At the same time, I could see myself—I’ve been known to get out of control before—and it re-enforced in me the desire not to be like that anymore.

On Your Mother 's Death

By Bryan Taylor

Bryan heard that my mother died recently and wrote this poem. He said he read the last verse some years ago, although he cannot remember where or who wrote it, and that it inspired the rest of the poem. Thank you, Bryan. (vtc)

Do not stand by my grave and weep
I am not in the ground so deep.

I am in the sunlight from above
I’m in the newborn baby, the mother’s love

I am the bird in majestic flight
I’m the glint of snow on a moonlit night.

I’m the wave that breaks upon the dry beach.
I am your dreams that will surely be reached.

I’m the grass, the flowers, the trees that grow,
The clouds the rain and the gentle winds blow.

I am everything that we ever held dear.
I’m the hour, the day, the month, the year.

I am eternity, I’m here, I’m there.
Everything I am, I am everywhere.

I am the love that fills your heart
That will keep us forever from being apart.

Do not stand by my grave and cry
I am not there. I did not die.

2009

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