Not Flying Away! Touching the Earth...

Yesterday I had an exchange with another person that began to turn sour. We had entered into a differencing of opinions that led to a drawn out analysis. I lost patience...in other words my mindfulness turned into forgetfulness. I forgot that this person was precious to me and that understanding was more important then business. I forgot that our interaction was actually causing stress versus alleviating stress. Luckily, in a few minutes time, we both realized our thoughts had been carried away, literally. I brought myself back to my breathing, back to being mindfully attentive. Soon after, we were able to reconcile our differences and come back to a peaceful resolution.

Later, I contemplated my true desire to never add to another's load, to practice diligently not watering the seeds of frustration and stress in another. A poem came to mind that so beautifully conveys coming back to oneself in moments when we've been pulled of course:

Earth Touching

Here is the foot of a tree.
Here is an empty, quiet place.
Here is the cool green of the grass.
My Child, why don't you sit down?

Sit upright.
Sit with solidity.
Sit in peace.
Don't let your thoughts lift you up into the air.
Sit so that you can really touch the Earth
and be one with her.
You may like to smile,
Earth will transmit to you her solidity,
her peace, and her joy.
With your mindful breathing,
with your peaceful smile,
you sustain the mudra of Earth Touching.

There were times when you didn't do well.
Sitting on the Earth, but it was as if you were floating in the air,
you who used to go in circles in the triple world
and be drawn into the ocean of illusion.
But Earth is always patient
and one-hearted.
Earth is still waiting for you
because Earth has been been waiting for you
during the last trillion lives...

...Walk as if you were kissing the Earth with your feet,
as if you were massaging the Earth.
The marks left by your feet
will be like the marks of an emperor's seal
calling for Now to go back to Here;
so that life will be present;
so that the blood will bring the color of love to your face;
so that the wonders of life will be manifested,
and all afflictions will be transformed into
peace and joy...

...the beautiful path is always patient.
It is always waiting for you to come back,
that path which is so familiar to you,
that path which is so faithful.
It knows deeply that you will come back one day.
it will be joyful to welcome you back.
It will be fresh and as beautiful as the first time.
Love never says, "This is the last."

The path is you, My Child.
This is why it will never be tired of waiting.
Whether it is covered now with red dust
or with Autumn leaves
or icy snow~
do go back to the path,
because I know
you will be like that tree,
the leaves, the trunk, the branches,
and the blossoms of your soul
will be fresh and beautiful,
once you enter the mudra of Earth Touching.

~Thich Nhat Hanh*
Call Me By My True Names, p. 197-198

Whether standing or walking, sitting or lying, I'm determined to practice grounding in mindful awareness and keeping my North Star in sight. Tremendous gratitude for those who practice alongside me, patiently watering my best seeds and joining me in shining bright.


*for more, please enjoy this beautiful dedication episode: Coming Home to the Present: The Life and Teaching of Thich Nhat Hanh