hope you are enjoying spring, which has finally arrived in all its splendour! I mentioned in my last newsletter that Russel
Williams (with whom I co-wrote the book Not I, Not other than I) died recently, on April 9th, at the age of 96. So for this month’s poetic reflections I wanted to write about Russel. The first piece is one I’ve just written, expressing my feelings about Russel’s presence and his teachings, and what made him such a unique human being. The second piece (‘Slow down’) is a poem I wrote a couple of years, influenced by his teachings on slowness. In fact, the first lines of the poem are a
direct quote from one of his meetings.I’ll write more in my next newsletter - in the meantime, be well!
Nothing Except Everything (for Russel Williams)
Human beings are so complicated -
so many different layers and levels of our minds,
filled with different issues and needs, jostling for attention
and so many hidden agendas and so much buried pain -
that we can’t understand ourselves, let alone each other.
And human
beings are so closed up and cluttered -
so tightly packed with concepts
so clenched up with aversion and agreed -
that we can’t sense our own true nature, or the true nature of others
and we feel dispossessed and disconnected,
and weary with the weight we have to carry round.
But you were so simple
that you were
transparent.
With one glimpse we could see right through to heart of you.
And you were so open
that spirit could flow through you purely
and fill you with unconditional love.
And we would absorb that radiance, as we sat with with you
and let go of seeking and striving
sensing that we were safe, at home at last.
There were no agendas to bypass, no defences to break through -
nothing except the pure white light of consciousness
shining through your emptiness
nothing except the universe
speaking through your stillness.
Slow
Down
The world keeps speeding up, moving much too fast -
that’s why it’s full of chaos
that’s why it’s heading for catastrophe.
Slow down - don’t be so desperate to reach
the future
that you ignore the world, and push the present away.
Treat each moment with respect
as a friend that deserves your attention.
Greet every new experience as a guest
who’s welcome to share your life.
Slow down, and feel how the stress of doing
is replaced by the ease of being.
Slow down, and feel how your hard shell of separateness begins to fade
replaced by a soft, spacious sense of
belonging.
Slow down, and see how the future fades, like a mirage
and how the present arises, as clear and fresh as dawn.
