Embracing

Dealing with these difficult emotions and accepting that the past can’t be changed, our best bet to healing is embracing. Embracing opens our heart & mind. It makes space for all kind of emotions and thoughts. We are humans, not robots. We are designed to feel various kinds of emotions and to think anything. These are our normal tendencies or nature. When we go against these natural tendencies, we are in trouble. Embracing is a poem which can guide us to accept our nature with open arms.

Embracing is intriguing

It is neither winning

, nor it is losing.

Though on a higher plane,

It requires "no effort".

It is being indifferent

to the thunderstorm on a dark night.

Just as being observant

to the fluttering of butterfly in the sunshine.

Embracing is intriguing.

The path of embracing is difficult to pursue

Neither fixed nor defined.

The path is flexible and undefined

Yet is difficult to pursue.

It is a pursuit to nowhere far

But confined to the present nearby

It is to be patient

In the moments of doubt

Just as restraining

In the moments of arguments

It is a willingness to pursue

The path of embracing is difficult to pursue

Embracing is like a standing tree

One with nature.

Stable in pleasant weather

Just as flexible in stormy weather.

Waiting for the rain at a single place

Just as observing days & nights at a steady pace

Neither demanding an early sunrise

Nor demanding a delay in sunset

Cohabiting with the surrounding

Seeing the self in others

and others in the self.

Embracing is one with nature just like a tree.

Empathy

Strange but not rare,

Empathy brings strength.

When you see,

And feel,

Others' vulnerabilities,

The two stories meet,

Pain divides,

Perseverance multiplies,

Little hearts twinkle,

With extra shine,

Strange but not rare.

Self-forgiveness- A little sparkle in the dark

Self-forgiveness is the greatest weapon, in our battle against Guilt & Shame. Yet, our understanding of self-forgiveness lacks clarity. Self-forgiveness is not a one-time decision. In dealing with guilt & shame we need to revisit this decision again and again. But this doesn’t mean there is something wrong in our approach. All we need is to be ready with whatever arises in the process of self-forgiveness.  Here is the poem on self-forgiveness.

Memories of past imperfect,

can be as threatening as,

an active land mine,

with links to violent undercurrents.

Here & now,

attention stumbles on them,

then & there,

they pull into the eddy of emotions.

Strong is the current,

Stronger is the emotion,

The storm may settle

but, will trail behind the fear of return.

Fear filters out the light,

plunging us into the darkness.

The darker side dance,

to the memories of past.

We hope for a light,

To guide us sweep the mine,

To illuminate our mind.

To nourish the soul.

For past imperfect,

Forgiveness is the light we need.

But, forgiveness may not be an ever shine,

Neither it may be the brightest bulb on the tree.

Forgiveness is a sparkle,

Momentarily shining brightly,

Momentarily dim,

Twinkling in between.

We may feel its fleeting.

Here & now with us,

then gone.

But, that is how authentic forgiveness is.

Yet it is enough to calm the currents,

from turning into storms.

That's the little sparkle in the dark.

Guilt untold

We all suffer from guilt from time to time. For some it passes quietly for some it lingers for longer period. Those who suffer from Guilt suffer in silence. Here is a short poem which captures the varied experience with Guilt.  

Guilt Unfolds Strangely

For some it's the past gone,

For some it's the defining past,

For some it weighs few grams,

For some it weighs tons,

For some it's a brief episode,

For some it's a life sentence,

For some it's a Karma trap,

For some it's repentance,

Guilt unfolds strangely.

For some it's a spell,

For some it's conscience,

For some it's mental chatter,

For some it's an inner voice,

For some it's a storm,

For some it's an opportunity for peace,

Some resist,

Some embrace,

Guilt unfolds strangely.

A glimpse is enough

While we deal with guilt & shame, we have our moments of hope & love.  In starting these moments are very brief, but powerful. However, the momentum of emotions (guilt & shame) is so high that we fail to consider the significance of these moments. The moment or the glimpse of hope, love, and forgiveness is enough to retard the emotional momentum. Like a candle light is enough to light away the darkness.

A glimpse is enough

To begin any titanic task,

A small step is enough,

Feel content & rejoice in attempt,

As part of the journey.

Even a glimpse is enough.

Drop the curtains, to bare the mind,

Let in any thoughts & emotions,

Hang around non-striving,

Peek through the window of now,

A glimpse is enough.

With no waiting and conditions,

Rays of forgiveness & love gleaming,

Yearning to shine our mind,

In this moment to next moment,

A glimpse is enough.