Time is.....

Circa 1975, Modesto, CA ~ I am the guy wearing sunglasses

Time flies, 
or so it seems.
We remember.
and sometimes
we forget.
Time really doesn't move,
there is no past,
no present,
no future.
There is just
one flowing,
moving,
perception
of this or that.
If we are awake,
we realize
it's time for 
a good laugh,
or a good cry,
or a moment of silence,
or a movement out,
even a movement in.
For what we have,
is always 
right in front 
of our eyes.

Wonji

Chùa Thiên Ân April 25, 2015

high mountain desert zen center

morning breaks at five am,

a quick cup of coffee

then off for morning rituals.

seated in the zendo

as the howling northwest wind

slides through

partially open windows,

howling and hissing

as it dances about

chilling my skin.

sudden gusts

shake at the trees

as they rhythmically

sway in the blustery chill,

while the temple chimes

ring out to awaken all beings.

constant cadence

from the time keepers clock

as morning light

creeps in through

tiny windows.

a single moth

lights on the altar

playing in the

morning candle’s light.

in the midst of

the chaos

is a stillness

of unequalled

proportion.

ring the bell

three times,

strike the chugpi

twice.

out side

the traffic noise

of a waking

desert world.

Carrying a Plank on our Shoulders

when we take off 
the blinders of thought,
what is left 
is just the truth.
old Sakyamuni
saw through it first,
Bodhidharma said it well,
while passing through the gate,
let go of thoughts and ideas,
don't live your life
in a book of concepts.
Dahui burned the books
he wanted to take back
his gift of questioning,
but the cat was loose
and his efforts in vain,
what is this-
this very moment.
how can I assist
in the integration
of no thing?
with a smile
a hug
and support
beyond measure.
to nurture
means 
to love 
always 
in the balance 
of naught.
seeing the truth
before thought or concept,
compassion
arrises
by natural process.......
~ wonji