Greg Gaul Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

2/8/19

Based on sutras, Easten thought and commentary of monks, lecturers, philosophers, writers, and practitioners. Please excuse the use of Buddhist terminology and some jargon. Attribution to Jon Kabat-Zinn who popularized mindfulness at the turn of the century in America. Principles of Tibetan Buddhism are also mentioned here. Others who influenced this writing are Joseph Campbell, Eckhart Tolle, Tara Brach, Pema Chodron, Adyashanti, Trungpa Rinpoche, Thich Nhat Hanh, Jack Kornfield and Sharon Salzberg.

Empty Vessels

We are all empty vessels on the ocean of consciousness:
navigate mindfulness to awareness, then awaken.
There are many lineages, some shallow harbors.
Enlightenment remains always on the horizon.

To understand oneness, universal consciousness -
embrace "nothingness", "no-self", "emptiness".
If it seems contradictory, that's not an illusion.
Let go, allow ego to dissolve, fall into emptiness.
Dismiss judgmentality and raging individualism.
Look into suffering with karmic loving-kindness.

Open to your Buddhanature, your Buddhaself.
Tame your mind on the meditation cushion.
Resist grasping enlightenment, enlightenment finds you.
Empty your vessel and be liberated.
Fill your life with love and compassion.
Become the other.

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Paula Goldsmith January 15, 2022 at 9:26 AM WOW!!! Congratulations on your win with your "Empty Vessels." A "Wonderful" write. Have a blessed day/weekend writing away...................... Greg Gaul January 15, 2022 at 12:45 PM Paula, I bow to your Buddhanature.

Gary Radice January 15, 2022 at 2:36 AM I can understand why this is a winning poem in Unseeking's contest. Knowing what is going on in the moment both inside and outside of ourselves is not an easy task in our fast, fickle world but mindfulness is an answer. Great write Greg. Cheers - Gary Greg Gaul January 15, 2022 at 12:47 PM Gary, thanks especially for your kindhearted remarks.

Christuraj Alex January 14, 2022 at 10:16 PM "We are all empty vessels on the ocean of consciousness" - Very beautiful concept. Long and beautiful writing. Congratulations! Greg Gaul January 15, 2022 at 12:48 PM I am sure the ocean of consciousness is smooth sailing for you. Thank you.

Unseeking Seeker January 14, 2022 at 6:55 PM Mark this one in bold, people! Now that the contest is over, I can mark this as a fave! Congrats on your win, Greg and thank you so much for sharing Greg Gaul January 15, 2022 at 12:54 PM It seems that the"unseeking one" may have found equanimity. At least, let's hope so. Thanks ever so for your comment and excellent hosting.

Richard Lamoureux April 22, 2019 at 8:06 AM Congratulations on your win. This topic is close to my heart. Coming from an abusive home, God and instinctive mindfulness helped me survive. It felt like time stopping. The grasping of moments. Sometimes something as simple as a breath between stressful moments could be captured. Writing is also a excercise in being in the present.

Paul Marc February 16, 2019 at 6:22 PM Nicely penned ~ congrats Greg!

Andrea Dietrich February 15, 2019 at 8:01 PM I've heard so much about this, but I fear my personality is too engrained to ever be able to understand it, let alone embrace it (you know what they say about old dogs learning new tricks) Anyway, this is awesome poetry and exactly what i think the sponsor of the mindfulness contest was looking for!! Greg Gaul February 15, 2019 at 9:50 PM Thank you Andrea for your kind comments. Forgive me, but my hunch is that you probably live by more of the principles of mindfulness that you think. It takes lots of vulnerability to write all the fine poetry that you do. Your words teach me all the time. Thank you.