In circle gathered, black kimono,
all seekers of illumination,
we bow, our hands in pious gassho;
accomplished zazen meditation.
We leave white wall, untie our posture
of semi-lotus, wakeful mudra,
the goal : the blissful state of moksha,
the promise : cutting bonds of karma.
Yet, all I feel, are muscles aching
from acrobatic zen-performance;
nirvana snubs my steadfast waking,
despite my goodwill and endurance.
And sensei’s words my ego bother :
“Accept what is, there is no other.”
That breeze that stirs your silk kimono,
more instant than illumination,
more pious than your graceful gassho,
is soft, serene in meditation.
It yields itself, unlike your posture
that’s stiff as stone; right-handed mudra –
a traffic-cop forbidding moksha!
The breeze is something outside karma.
It is your ego you feel aching,
your mind insisting on performance.
Push on beyond the state of waking,
and persevere beyond endurance…
Still teishi’s thoughts her ego bother;
accept what is – there is no other.
Relaxing under silk kimono,
the thought about illumination
surrenders to authentic gassho;
no more resisting meditation.
The teishi’s ego yields to posture
and effortless becomes her mudra ;
abandoned, goal of blissful moksha,
forgotten, rigid laws of karma.
Observing thoughts creates no aching
and no competitive performance,
no concentrated, forceful waking,
nor strife for disciplined endurance.
The passing thought-streams no more bother
the teishi – free from “me” and “other”.
Author notes
merci, mairi bheag, for collaborating with maa on this poem, originally a dyad of marshalline sonnets ... later transformed into a tryad by maa
thank you for teaching me this wonderful form, mairi :
http://allpoetry.com/column/2265620
***
painting : "blue buddha" by maa
***
glossary :
gassho … ritual hand-gesture of greeting, palms together facing upwards
karma … law of cause and effect, action and reaction, cycle of rebirth
moksha … self-realization, liberation from ego and suffering, cessation of the karmic cycle of rebirth
mudra … « seal », symbolic hand-gesture,
nirvana … (satori), liberation from ego and suffering, cessation of the karmic cycle of rebirth; bliss
right-handed mudra … (teaching-mudra), thumb and index joined forming a circle
semi-lotus … leg-posture for zazen-meditation
sensei … (roshi), zen-master
teishi … disciple
zazen …zen-meditation-practice
***
In a list
A contest entry
- Vines Intertwining - A Collaboration Contest #75 by Lyndon.
5250 points, ended July 20, 2008, 15 entries
Gold trophy winner
• next poem in this contest, remove from contest
Please tell me what you think
Comments
1 - 15 of 15
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Congratulations to you
some wonderful work here,
Blessings,
Frozentearz -
Congratulations, Marion!
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Absolutely mesmerizing completely captivating wonderfully wise and sensationally stunning!
You two have blended a beautiful form - spot on I might add having gone to study Mairi's specs - with what is nearly one voice.
As it should be in a collaboration. Well done you two. Not a piece out of place. Exceptional writing.
I have learned not only a new form - which I have yet to try, but also some very soulful and meaningful words. If I am not prone to persevere after this, I never will be.
Fine fine poetry here. GREAT job you two.~Pamela
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I have really got to return hear and read this fine peice of work Wow I am green with envy AWesome!!!!
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This is so beautiful. I love the progression and the flow and the message. "Free from" me" and "other".
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Such a joy here, two of my favorites and a black kimono; opening into realms of perseverant pursuit of something within us and always...yet so elusive...wonderful write...enjoyed the form too seems to allow for expression and some freedom within the form... very nice...PK
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Absolutely amazing write! Wow! You two have woven a masterpiece!
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dazzling
A very smooth ride through the minds of two, together as one!
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maa this is way too good
This is a masterpiece. I can't imagine the work you and Mairi put into it. My state of mediocrity is just high enought to recognize its brilliance. Thanks for the wonderful share.
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I third the motion... This IS wonderful! I especially liked the rhythm that becomes almost chant-like after it's read a couple of times!!! Maybe this poem will help me liberate my ego??? hehe! At the very least it has reminded me to add you to my favs. Awesome!
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This is a wonderful work. The language, message, image are all fantastic. I agree with Amera, this is wonderful.
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This is pure beauty in motion. I found the meter in its self to be a meditation and so relaxing. There aren't enough superlatives to praise this masterpiece.
Love and blessings to both my sisters.
Love,
Amera♥
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This is a work of genius. I appreciate the difficulty of using the same words to end the lines in a dyad - a tryad is very impressive indeed. What is more, you have shown the difficulties I have had, ideals we aspire to and breakthrough possible in meditation.
Well done, both of you! You are a force of nature.
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Fantastic!!!!
Ummmm
I am stunned, I have a poem working for this contest with Sue and THIS!!!! WOW you two have created a masterpiece, I love Marie's sonnet style, and dyads make me melt in wonder, a tryad!
Oooooooooo
Sorry marginally over the top there, Mairi will explain this final assessment to you.
"Not Bad!"
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(That means he really likes it, Marion)
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