Life Is Still Precious, Just As It Is.

“Be Yourself,” the venerable Thich Nhan Haht once counseled. “Life is precious as it is. All the elements for your happiness are already here. There is no need to run, strive, search, or struggle. Just Be.”

Such a wonderful reminder – and yet, how easily we forget with life’s first ‘pinch.’

Colors fade to muted grey; while icy winds steal the warmth of spring. Our breath quickens. We become restless – as our once glowing facade falls into a half-smile.

If only we might learn to shine the light of awareness on this unsettledness; to illuminate the dauntlessness of our own perception.

“Don’t judge it or try to destroy it,” suggests brother Thay. “because this restlessness is you yourself. It is born, has some period of existence, and fades away, quite naturally. Don’t be in too big a hurry to find its source. Don’t try too hard to make it disappear. Just illuminate it. You will see that little by little it will change, merge, become connected with you, the observer.”

Just as the sun always finds its way – to every twig, every leaf, and every mountain spring. So, too, will the light of awareness eventually find its place…that we might sit, that we might breathe, that we might one day find our way.

And, find within this precious moment…a stunning reminder;

That life is still precious, just as it is.

<3

About

Tara Lemieux is a mindful wanderer, and faithful stargazer. Although she often appears to be listening with great care, rest assured she is most certainly‘forever lost in thought. She is an ardent explorer and lover of finding things previously undiscovered or at the very least mostly not-uncovered.

You may also like