I FOLLOWED FORWARD
Dear Friends
This weekend just passed with the full moon of October, marked the ending of the Vassa (Rains) Retreat.
The three months Retreat period from the full moon of July to the full moon of October, has been a time of special practice designated by the Buddha, for over 2,500 years ago.
Each year Buddhist Monastics and lay practitioners make use of this special period, to enhance their practice of Mindfulness, Meditation and Insight Wisdom.
For myself and a group of people, we formally engaged the Vassa Retreat 2020 at Bodhi Tree Forest Monastery near Lismore, with a Non Residential Retreat for the 3 month period. We had four Saturday Meditation Days at Bodhi Tree, with Teachings and Instructions from Venerable Pannyavaro.
We all gained greatly from the Vassa Retreat 2020, with the emphasis on developing helpful habits of good practice to maintain beyond the formal Retreat period time.
For all of us – as the COVID-19 Retreat continues, we need to maintain our commitment to well-being with both physical and psychological health. As Summer draws near and we are drawn outside into the warmer weather it is helpful to remind ourselves to continue to be both Caring and Careful in how we engage with others.
Our Mindfulness and Meditation practice continues to be a great resource and refuge for Peace and Clarity.
Our ongoing journey of following forth into the days of our life with Mindfulness is hinted at in my verse below.
With Kind Regards
John B.
I FOLLOWED FORWARD
I followed forward;
And I followed First;
With great enthusiasm;
And a deepening Thirst.
I followed forward;
And followed with Haste;
Realising life is short;
With no time to Waste.
I followed forward;
And followed Fast;
I put my mind;
Right to the Task.
I followed forward;
And I followed Right;
To all things wholesome;
And all things Bright.
I followed forward;
And I followed Calm;
Morality, Meditation and Wisdom;
A Mind-Heart balm.
I followed forward;
And I followed Fine;
Engaging Spiritual Virtues;
And Qualities Divine.
I followed forward;
And not behind;
Developing Mindful Attention;
Becoming Alert and Kind.
I followed forward;
And I followed Well;
Being cautious to see;
Desires seductive Spell.
I followed here;
And I followed there;
To move my mind;
From all despair.
I learned to sit;
I learned to walk;
I learned to listen;
And to mindfully talk.
I spent time with the Wise;
With those that Care;
The Humble and Kind;
The Peaceful and Fair.
I grew in Calm;
Compassion and clarity;
To see what is false;
And what is Reality.
To do the Good;
And maintain the Right;
To develop Mindfulness
With Clear Insight.
To engage the Path;
And walk the Way;
To use Calm and Wisdom;
Come what may!
I learned to Live;
I learned to Know;
I learned to Love;
And learned to Let-Go.
Though never lost;
Freedom can be found;
Well practice the Mind;
To home and harbour Bound!
