A life cannot be measured.
By those who wag their tongues.
By those who explain
the ‘way’, their way.
Or the thoughts that remain a lie.
It can be measured by the
words you write, day after day.
And the songs you
sing night after night.
It can be measured
by the kindness
you show to all
sentient beings.
By the way you
help a butterfly
with a torn wing.
By the way you
watch the sun
suddenly disappear
behind the hill.
Wondering when the
light will return again?
Then, you may turn
clear and transparent.
And see that your life is more
valuable than your mind thinks.
And there really is
no wisdom to attain.
It is already within you.

The world before my eyes.
Slender and fragile.
Full of illusion and desire.
And for some, enlightenment.
Those that listen to
the birds for music.
Carrying the mud from
place to place.
Yet, still looking for
spring weather.

Whilst making coffee
this morning.
On an overcast
day in Hangzhou.
I thought……
Sometimes I see the
Buddha in everybody.
I say hello…
I say how are you…
I say goodbye…
And always the Buddha
comes to the surface.
My coffee made.
I realized that life
could pass me by.
So, each day.
Each moment of each day
I remind myself to stay alive
to the moment and the place.

I bought a house plant today.
Well, an apartment plant.
To keep me company.
When the long winter nights arrive.
Then, when the rain of
compassion falls.
The plant can help me
soak-up as much as possible.
And as I wander around.
Even the darkest corners.
Become a vast fertile plain.
A plain of happiness.
Free of desire and wanting.
As if by magic we can see.
The beauty of life.
That is always around us.

The sun in Hangzhou
falls behind mountains.
And the whole world
seems smaller.
Before me,
a mystic scene of
sadness and well-being.
It is clear that
every second counts.
I think I will embrace
the moment.
Like a long-lost
brother or sister.
​

I saw the leaf fall from the branch,
Floating down to the street.
There was no craving.
There was no desire.
There was no hate.
I thought to myself.
How does the leaf do this?
Perhaps it accepts that is a leaf.
That one day will fall
from the branch of the tree.
Floating down to the street below.
And no more than this?
Then I realised that I have
a lot to learn from the leaf.
​

Once there was turmoil.
The magpies laughed,
and there was no
diamond sunlight.
Then my eyes and ears were
grazed by the sounds of nature.
Grazed by the sounds of life
singing around me.
Misfortunes became no more
than distortions of the mind.
Then, I was able to stand apart
from worldly things.
Not concerning myself
with tricks of the mind.

Autumn is here.
The leaves do not last.
Against the odds.
I find a way to keep going.
How?
Much more than the spirit of man.
A glass of emptiness,
then stillness arises.
But most of all.
I like to see the ordinary happen.
Then I can decide.
A madness or a
new beginning?

​

Leaves fall.
And dance on the
surface of the lake.
What can I say?
Another one dead
and drifting away.
But, just along the banks.
The next…..
And all things are
harmonized.

Who shall conquer this world?
Not those with force of arms.
But those who look deep inside.
To see the single
flower within all of us.
Taking leave of themselves.
Naked of all desire and hatred.
Then they will see
natures healing kiss.
And worry, or quibble
No more.