After 3-day Silent Retreat

Day 1

voice of my teacher

to come back to awareness

sweet acceptance

*

white mushrooms

sprouted lentils

my stomach’s applause

*

gentle chef

spices combined with magic

closed eye enjoyment

*

four elements

earth water fire air

everything changes

*

thought leads to thought

emotional companion

until I notice

*

so this is the work

no hocus pocus lightbulbs

but courage to look

*

monks and nuns

years of meditation

bodies scratched and frayed

*

preparing popcorn

first smells hint of future taste

and then the next thing

*

I enjoy

I forget to enjoy

while lost in thought

*

brief glimmer of mind

before thoughts take over

then, another chance

*

Day 2

dream information

symbols in a fish fin

search for a compass

or

dream language

search for one fish’s fin

symbolic message

*

sheep turds

scattered peanuts on road

scavenger hunt

*

endless barking

one dog guards dairy cattle

from scents of strangers

*

holiday morning

only we take these paths

as the year renews

*

yummy resonance

listening heartfully

i have expanded

*

retreat teachers

leading with gentility

my willing heart

*

Prof. Richie Davidson’s talks

well-being

brain plasticity

you can change your mind

*

tests, laboratories

compassionate resilience

proven data

*

Jaya Ashmore
not a picnic

practice is not glamourous

flies and ants arrive

*

Day 3
wake up little one

while dreaming your mind parties

drunken images

*

quiet darkness

constellations above us

songbirds on siloes

*

5:30 a.m.
surprise aroma of cows

within the stillness

*

this beautiful room

offers comfort and safety

gratitude for space

*

insights from retreat

silence is a most welcome place

to glimpse within