The Human Experience

Knowing that I am meant to be here,

that I AM here,

swells my heart with delight.

Seeing the petite, white wildflowers

waving for my attention,

I wonder,

What quality of presence shall I offer?

I survived my initiation into deep grief and anguish,

trusting the promise that good will come of this.

And now I realize in a flare of insight

that good is not a product,
 but the receptive benevolence
 that arises from an awakened heart
 which finds meaning in
 showing up fully as oneself
 and all the inherent glory that implies — —
 the wonderful majesty of the human experience
 found only right Now.

Engaging With The Poem

 Poetry can be a doorway to the soul and your own creativity. Throughout the ages, the written word has been used as a means to access personal truth and as a vehicle for prayer through the practice of sacred reading (lectio divina). I encourage you to try this beautiful practice and let its truths to be self-evident.

 How To Practice Sacred Reading

 Read~Reflect~Respond~Rest

 READ the passage through slowly more than once, noticing how it feels in your body and the response of your heart.

 REFLECT: What word resonates with you? What phrase speaks to you? What overall personal meaning comes to you? Allow yourself to follow a tangent.

 RESPOND by making space for the prayer of your heart to manifest. Write down the words and/or phrases that resonate with you, and allow them to arrange themselves into your own poem or prayer.

 REST with your eyes closed, perhaps using the word that most resonates with you as your mantra for silent meditation.

Dear friend,

 May your mind be peaceful and calm,
 may your body be relaxed and comfortable,
 and may your heart be filled with love.

 Thank you for reading.

 Blessings and gratitude,
 Ani