Bill Fell 8/16-17/20

According to Ani Pema Chodron, Anam Thubten gave a teaching that if you paused 108 times per day for six months, you’d be enlightened.  

1.

Out the front door, barely break of day
Sudden unforeseen hit of heat
Down the driveway, turn left
Me and my tall shadow head west
Down to the greenbelt, head-fake right, go left 
A soft glow coats the redwoods, ginkoes 
Fronting an oddly opaque blackdrop 
Blanket of clouds no doubt?
Why do I not pause?

2.

Borrowing a corner of Chestnut Park
We, a small-group of meditators take our seats, 
Removing masks . . . quietly gongggging . . .  breathing;  
Hawk-less, squirrel-less, subdued spaciousness
Scrub jays own the air
A sudden flash barely beside my left eye
Is that?  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yes!  
Enmeshed in perfect rolling thunder
A southwest flash, but . . . .
Is that where the sounds started?
If it happens again, I need a count
Filling-up this now with ever-more storylines
Sympathetic nervous system invoked
Why do I not pause?

3.

Now, THAT CERTAINLY was a raindrop.   
Up front, Amanda flashes a friendly face  
Refreshing drips soak through, a cooling relief 
But where might all THIS be headed?   
When do we take cover under a yoga mat? 
Who’s the first to make a move?   
Just sit tight  Fill-up this new now with commentary 
Why do I not pause ?