Steady

If I can just stay steady here

Holding onto the centre

While witnessing the world revolve

A world filled with all kinds of drama pulls and stress

I think I might just have a chance

To hold onto happiness

And no longer be

So subsumed by others dread

 

My compassionate heart

Is so often a beacon

To souls in distress

And I want so desperately to offer them recompense

Because I know how it is

To ache for understanding and tenderness

But I am also only me

And the love I feel

Though given for free

Must also sustain this heart

And so I will hold steady

When the hook of negative or disasater thinking

Wants to pierce me

And not allow it to tear my flesh

Just witness

Where the energy may be flowing

Where a soul needs to be growing

And slowly gently calmly call it back

Owning

Rather than

Surrendering my power

And energy

To fear

 

* * * * * * * * * * * *

 

the initial tug of ‘for’ or ‘against’ is the first place we can remain as steady as a log.  Just experience the tug and relax into the restlessness of the energy, without fanning this ember with thoughts.  If we stay present with the rawness of our direct experience, emotional energy can move through us without getting stuck.  Of course, this isn’t easy and takes practice.  

Pema Chodron