THE MYTH OF THE AWAKENED STATE

[Pravin Kumar]

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The Myth Of The Awakened State

There is a myth about being Awake,
That one should become a Buddha of stone,
And all negative emotions forsake,
So there’s nothing that can cause a groan.

My sister seemed to expect a ‘perfect being’,
When we finally met after many a year,
My son on my golfing exasperation seeing,
Was surprised that upsets still appear.

Many other varied examples I could name,
So a word of warning to those who ‘come out’,
Offering ‘pointers’, they might get the same,
Which ‘no self’ softens without a doubt.

For, in this, there’s no self-image to protect,
So such criticisms lose most of their weight,
Irrespective of expectations ‘others’ project,
Their disappointments don’t affect one’s state.

There are many examples of such an Awakened one,
Exhibiting a wide range of ‘negative’ emotions,
Ramakrishna cried and got angry … all part of the fun,
Not just sitting inert ‘going through the motions’.

Feelings arise and subside spontaneously,
Causing no problem for one who does not cling,
Or hold them, evaporating instantaneously,
When life’s rich pageant dishes up the next ‘thing’.

For to be a true instrument of The Absolute,
And provide it with a richness of experience,
One needs to be free … not ‘giving a hoot’,
Enjoying all, but not deluded by appearance.
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A poem from 'Poetry From The Simplicity of Awakening' based on a chapter of 'The Simplicity of Awakening'.

I write (and read) these posts, based on my meditations and contemplations, as much for my own benefit as for that of 'others'. For this helps to keep me 'awake' in this illusory, and impermanent, world ... our perception of which is based purely on our physical, and mental, configuration.

For more poems, articles, photos etc. see the comment on the photo.

COLIN DRAKE