Monday Morning Poem

Along with starting the day off with an intention, I like to start the week off with an overarching manifestation. This one comes from the  book Tao Of Jeet Kun Doe, by Bruce Lee, which among technical martial arts instructions, lies zen musings and teachings. People and athletes who are at the height of their craft often speak about being in the "zone." They intuitively feel and respond to what is happening around them with little cognitive mediation. This awareness is what being in the moment is all about. Thanks to Pocket Mindfulness for the link. The author is reportedly a Tao Priest and the poem has no title.

Into a soul absolutely free

From thoughts and emotion,

Even the tiger finds no room

To insert its fierce claws

 

One and the same breeze passes

Over the pines on the mountain

And the oak tress in the valley;

And why do they give different notes

 

No thinking, no reflecting,

Perfect emptiness;

Yet therein something moves,

Following its own course

 

The eye sees it,

But no hand can take hold of it -

The moon in the stream

 

Clouds and mists

They are midair transformations;

Above them eternally shine the sun and the moon

 

Victory is for the one,

Even before combat,

Who has no thought of himself,

Abiding is the no-mind-ness of Great Origin