Awake, my heart

Compassion is the “quivering of the pure heart “ when we have allowed ourselves to be touched by the pain of life.  The knowledge that we can do this and survive help us to awaken the greatness of our heart.

Jack Kornfield, A Path With Heart, p. 27 

Pain

in no matter what form it comes

fear

anger

loneliness

loss

illness

it is everywhere

everywhere

and I hate it 

and I don’t want to touch it

even more I don’t want it to touch me

so I tip toe, and dodge

I put up barriers

so many barriers

I think that this is how to survive

and yet, this really

is how to die

O sacred one

break me open

help me to be touched by those around me

yes 

I will feel pain

but will feel too

joy and hope

and love

and will find the deep richness of

my own heart