It’s like this right now: difficult — Day 17 of 40 Days of Listening

Day 17 — The love that allows

It’s like this right now: difficult.
My nature is to dislike what is difficult.
All beings have difficulties in life.
I am no different; I am not immune from difficulties.
However, this experience and my thoughts are the products
of myriad factors and do not exist on their own.

Recognizing the empty nature of my fears, stories,
and thoughts interrupts
their power to elicit and proliferate ideas, images, concepts
which only intoxicate me
in a deluded self-centered trance.

May I accept that loss is part of life —
without loss, there can be no gain;
without death, there cannot be birth.
May this difficulty give rise to care and concern.
May I calmly know change and meet each moment
with wisdom and friendliness.

May deeply apprehending the impermanent and interdependent nature of all phenomena and happenings, reveal the universe’s unwavering lawfulness.

“It’s like this right now — upekkha: the love that allows”
by David Jones (Intertwiner, scientist, & bike commuter)

“May this difficulty give rise to care and concern.”

“May I calmly know change and meet each moment with wisdom and friendliness.”

Amen.

As we enter a new week — one likely drastically different than any of the weeks we’ve lived before — let’s practice care, calm acceptance, and wise action.

And let’s not do this alone. This is a time to rely on community. On friendship. On the power of together.

And it’s a time for grace. Care. Gentleness. Patience even as we act.

Peace and breath. May you be strengthened to meet today’s moments with care and wisdom.