Tag: mind

dying away

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, awe, Daily reminders, death, loss, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from self, Poetry, spirituality, sufferingLeave a comment

dying away

every moment
I am perishing
one breath
closer to death
the sun, the moon
even our very own
earth, sources
of sustenance
wither, fade
and ebb away

it’s the way of things

and yet
it’s hard to hold
this—the universe
itself grows, ages
and dies—
my mind, a denier,
even with evidence
doesn’t want to accept

this source of suffering
starts with belief
in past and future
instead of resting
in the cradle of now
it holds us, this now
let the puzzles go
let tension go

now breathe

2023 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

minefield

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Daily reminders, insomnia, mind, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from self, Poetry, spirituality, suffering4 Comments

minefield

are you ready to come
out of the cave? have you
had enough of drowning?
the mind has claws,
ties your view into knots
drags you under
with the weight of stones

you know this mind
it perseverates,
steals sleep
tangles intention
revs apprehension

let it go—set it down
that gnarl will not undo—
then swim away
that’s right
use powerful strokes
minefield mind, a drag
on vigor and time

2022 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

stir up joy

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn awe, Daily reminders, joy, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes from selfLeave a comment

stir up joy

examine the cedar cone
its hard russet flower
adorning the patio—
stop!
watch the grass-green
hummer guzzling
at the feeder, how it
hovers, speedy wings
too fast to see—
the morning hush
lies on the land
how its quiet
stills the mind
and, empty of thought
drink in that joy

2022 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

slant of mind

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, Daily reminders, mind, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes to self, Poetry, TruthLeave a comment

slant of mind
note to self

look carefully—
does that slant of
mind serve you?
it might be outdated
and need an upgrade
or maybe it can be
thanked, released, and
honorably interred

shame, self-doubt
regret—can you let
them go? notice their
presence and
set them down
slants of mind shade
the truth—
why would you want that?

thank you to Margaret Rooney for the title phrase

2022 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—not final versions.

all you can do

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, Daily reminders, mind, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes to self, spirituality, suffering, Surrender, thoughts, Truth3 Comments

all you can do

note to self

nothing’s “under control”
you may think it is, but
it’s a wild mess, wholly
pandemonium,
all happening, happening
redolent and rampant
spilling out in endless
variety—us included—
and brought into play

so relax.

there’s no stopping it
squalling newborn
assault rifles for sale
your first, tentative kiss
tender lips caress yours
friend’s death diagnosis,
and then your own,
sunrise aflame—apricot on cobalt,
sour milk and moldy tortillas,
puppy snoring in your lap
all of it, erupting at once

relax.

forget the mind
the craving to name,
to nail down something,
anything, and
give it meaning.
troublesome thoughts—
oh, suffering ensues,
that’s guaranteed.
meet it, whatever it is,
not slantwise, straight on

and relax

2022 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—they may never turn into anything more or they might flower.

every riven thing

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Daily reminders, feelings, Musings, notes to self, spirituality, thoughtsLeave a comment

every riven thing

note to self

looking around, it
all seems bruised—
maimed from the get go
and yet I hold hope
of a loving outcome
I know that hope is futile
yet I cup it in my hand
a delicate swallowtail of faith
bold black markings on
dandelion yellow

that’s why I read novels
but never thrillers. a complex
ending, okay, but positive, please.
there’s enough negligence—
and worse—right here,
dealt out on a daily basis.
our world, straight on:
starvation, murder, fires
but riven hearts radiating love—
piercing light, pouring
through the cracks like suns,
generous and free

2022 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—they may never turn into anything more or they might flower.

time is on fire

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, Daily reminders, feelings, memoir, mind, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, Poetry, spirituality, thoughts, Truth4 Comments

time is on fire

note to self

watch out!
here in the declared world
time is on fire
the more you rush the
higher the flames claim

slow your steps
breathe through your
thoughts. the moment you notice,
they’re in the past anyway.
finished.
thought can not be immediate
how shocking to glimpse this

sniff the purple iris
allow its bouquet
redolent of grape to
sweep through you
be one with you
before naming it and
fixing it in place
giving it distinction

step out of time
let the world burn
that is its nature. rest
in the cool of the big field
you can’t touch it
but it’s there—
steadfast and reliable

2022 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—they may never turn into anything more or they might flower.

the weight of impotence

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, Daily reminders, feelings, Kashmiri Shaivism, Love, memoir, mind, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, notes to self, Poetry, spirituality, suffering, thoughts, Truth2 Comments

the weight of impotence

note to self

stopped watching
TV world news
clicked off NPR
but on the iPad
catch myself roving
through BBC, CNN
and The Guardian
impelled to know

crushed by agony
in our world, I ponder
my own actions,
minuscule movements
of love, one in 7.9 billion
7.9 billion!
impotence weighs me down

and yet,
the eye of the heart flames—
see, over there,
the mare licks her foal
still amniotic wet
long, slow strokes to
ground him into life

with tender fierceness
watch the red-tailed hawk
feed snake to
squawking fluff balls
or the hospice nurse plump
pillows for the failing elder,
offering gentle words

oh please! dear self
faced with global turmoil
even though you
lie awake and quail,
remember—
thought is ineffectual
it holds no other sway

2022 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—they may never turn into anything more or they might flower.

don’t go to battle with reality

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Awakening, Daily reminders, feelings, Kashmiri Shaivism, memoir, Musings, Non-duality, nonduality, Poetry, simple pleasures, spirituality, Surrender, TruthLeave a comment

don’t go to battle with reality

note to self

oh, sweetheart—just don’t!
don’t go to battle with
what is, a war
you cannot win
whatever has ensued
is already here
resistance won’t make
it go away

you can choose your
response—be kind?
helpful? generous, even?

when you’re overwhelmed
watch your buddy
the red squirrel sprint
along the fence
outside your office
no cares,
a speedy-rodent agenda
you’re not privileged to know

smile
breathe
remember
start again

2022 ©Amrita Skye Blaine
disclaimer: I’m writing a poem a day. These are drafts—they may never turn into anything more or they might flower.

mind game reminder

On By Amrita Skye BlaineIn Daily reminders, Musings, Non-duality, thoughts3 Comments

funny-crazy-mind-bunnies-clipartToday, surrounded by loving, awake friends, I was reminded of other ways to address the nattering nighttime mind.

The thoughts are precipitated by feelings. Sink into those. Welcome them, even if they are uncomfortable. Most likely, they are familiar friends who have been with me most of my life.

The feelings, when I place my attention on them, reveal themselves as simple bodily sensations. Notice these.

Allow pure awareness to seep into them, expanding and dissolving the remnants. Or invite them to soften and gradually disperse.

Rest in beingness.

Repeat again, again, again. Again.

© Amrita Skye Blaine, 2015
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