Meeting You

In the end-
all that has mattered
Is that I could see you
Without a judgement or a label
I could feel you when you were in your joy
I could feel you when you dwelt in sadness
I could deeply listen as you waged on the same stumbling blocks-
over and over again
I could be with you when our talk was on the surface
I could even be silent just to hear you
Or if was needed to leave you alone
Even in moments difficult as it sometimes was
That which arose in me
Wanting to offer you advice
To help you in times of need
In the end
I hope to have held back
and let you have your moments
Each and every one
Knowing you had all the answers already, Dear One
And who am I to know the Great Mystery of it all

Thank you Dear One for teaching me to meet you and all others
Where they are
For what has emerged is connections to brothers and sisters
That would never have come
Meeting everyone where they are
We become connected like the One.

Received by Stephanie Sarasvati  1/16/2011

Synopsis:
I have been practicing (not perfecting) meeting family and friends and students where they are.  Not trying to push anyone to be in a different place, and really trying to listen and be.  So many times I suffer because I feel someone else's pain, and want to help them or "fix" them.  But the deep truth is we all have all the answers we ever need and all the lessons we ever need.  I think the biggest gift that we can give is just to be there, listen deeply, let go of all judgements and labels, and be.  Some relationships seem to be growing into such beautiful flowers.  I am so grateful for this practice.  I hope I can become better at it.

A New Year

It's a new year
Bringing in the gratitude, silence, things to work on, new commitments, reflections
Traveling in a timeless space
Set in the bed frame of silence
Entering this new year
Refreshed
Renewed

I ponder the simple treasures that decorate my life
Like 3 loving cats
The sound of their purrs
The warmth as they lay across my belly
The sweet comfort of my husband's hand-
As we doze off in the mid afternoon
I like to look around in my bedroom
Appreciating the delicate peace that exudes our life, our creative spirit
From decorating and living in our room
Thinking of the sweet connections with my mother
As this new year begins with an increasing bond between us

Even in the gifts that float through my mind
I am still aware of the silence that carries the thoughts
Glimpses of quiet bliss whisper in my ear
Like a best friend who is always there

I also think of this new year with commitment
A fresh willingness to renew my spirit and commit to things -
that ignite passion in my soul
I commit with a new inner renewal
to listen more, to allow more, to love more, to judge less, to understand more, to be more
More presence - more nows
More okay with nows

I use this special time of year to reflect a new
In the silence of my room
Even with the little vows of noise
I breath into 2012
I smile
I remember this moment, this life is a gift
Like every single moment

This day  -  January 1st, 2012 -  is a reminder
That every moment is new
And the excitement of life happens when we invigorate in the Present
No longer a hopeless victim
But a warrior of Spirit
Ready to embrace and face and move
Into a waking presence.

Received by Stephanie Sarasvati January 1st, 2012