Daily Gratitude: 365 Days of Reflection
National Geographic
I have had an intellectual understanding to this for a long time. When I read the quotation this morning I thought of these lines I wrote in 1984
But as for sorrow, you will find
It is the creation of the mind!
Actually living this truth is a different matter!
The End of Sorrow What thoughts or images may I borrow To make plain to all the end of sorrow? It is a discovery I have made of late That puts an end to conflict and to hate. First, I think I should explain What I mean by “sorrow” and by “pain” Pain is real, it is “what is” But as for sorrow, you will find It is the creation of the mind! Sadness too is real It is what we feel As we shed tears For aches of years and years A tear is a healing thing Like the gentle rain of spring. But what brings sorrow to the land? Please let’s try to understand I have a want – it’s out there Now I’m caught – do take care! What I have is where I start Everything else keeps me apart! It’s been said that to put out the fire All it takes is to kill desire But let us pause and really think Before that cup we quickly drink Killing desire is itself a boon That we want all too soon. Thus, in my left hand I hold what is And in my right what I want to be And – we all know the game – Lo and behold, they’re not the same! So, the inner conflicts never cease Never do we gain release. Let us pause, right now, today To see if there is another way In my left hand I hold what is I say to myself, “that’s what is”. Am I liar or a cheat? Maybe my problem is conceit Whatever is, is so And that is all I know. So now all I do is observe And thus my energy conserve Now the alchemy begins The love inside always wins! This is a poem that never ends It is for my loved ones and my friends The end of sorrow and of strife Is the beginning of love and life.