I was listening to “Touching the Eternal,” a recording of seven-day India retreat organized by a spiritual teacher Eckhart Tolle.
Toward the end of the audio book, what I assume was the last day of the retreat, a woman rose up from the audience to offer something unusual — a poem she wrote in the middle of the night while struck by sudden inspiration.
“I woke up three o’clock in the morning yesterday before the bells went off,” the woman said. “Some thoughts came into my head and I wrote them down … and I’d like to read it you before we end the session. I just call it ‘With You.’”
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WITH YOU
A Mindfulness Poem from Touching the EternalWhen time has ceased its wheels turning,
And that space between the breath of in and out
Has become my bed,
You were there to see me go.A smile so warm it filled my heart fully,
And eyes that would call my soul to play.
Your kindness keeping safe the joy I treasured till now
When I become all that ever was joy.Oh, greatness thanks be.
You are my servant of sweetness,
My bearer of warm tidings
With wood from the Bodhi tree
That has carved this space in my heart.For leaving on this day has caused me no sorrow.
For you who stayed
That clear bell ringing,
This way, this way.
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“Touching the Eternal” is a wonderful listen in its entirety. Complement with our article on how to access the power of Now (with guided audio) and then revisit Bill Murray and Emily Dickinson on how to read a poem.
I’m a freelance writer and mindfulness advocate behind this blog. I started my meditation practice in 2014, and in 2017 I launched this website to share what I learn with others. Here are the three things you can do here:
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