Here are more poems about mindfulness, on top of my earlier compilation.
Such words of heart touch me meaningfully, and I enjoy reading them during mindfulness classes. Like metaphors, poems skip the rules of languages and evoke powerful thoughts, emotions and behaviours.
Here are more poems about mindfulness, to support your own transformation journey.
Walk Slowly
by Danna Faulds
It only takes a reminder to breathe,
a moment to be still, and just like that,
something in me settles, softens, makes
space for imperfection. The harsh voice
of judgment drops to a whisper and I
remember again that life isn’t a relay
race; that we will all cross the finish
line; that waking up to life is what we
were born for. As many times as I
forget, catch myself charging forward
without even knowing where I’m going,
that many times I can make the choice
to stop, to breathe, and be, and walk
slowly into the mystery.
Stopping and Starting
by Gunilla Norris
One of the hardest lessons of any inner journey
Is to understand that our ideal sense of how things should be
And the actual experience – are miles apart.
To be with our being
is the most simple, direct,
truly human capacity,
And it is the most difficult to sustain.
In two minutes of sitting quietly
we will soon discover that our minds have gone off
by themselves with plans, fantasies, judgments,
hopes, fears and what have you!
In nothing flat we have flown away from our presence in the present
To accept that we do this all the time
Is to accept the process of stopping and starting
again and again
Illusion and Reality
by Kabir, translated by Rabindranath Tagore
What is seen is not the Truth
What is cannot be said
Trust comes not without seeing
Nor understanding without words
The wise comprehends with knowledge
To the ignorant it is but a wonder
Some worship the formless God
Some worship His various forms
In what way He is beyond these attributes
Only the Knower knows
That music cannot be written
How can then be the notes
Says Kabir, awareness alone will overcome illusion
Help Yourself To Happiness
by Helen Steiner Rice
Everybody, everywhere seeks happiness, it’s true,
But finding it and keeping it seem difficult to do.
Difficult because we think that happiness is found
Only in the places where wealth and fame abound.
And so we go on searching in palaces of pleasure
Seeking recognition and monetary treasure,
Unaware that happiness is just a state of mind
Within the reach of everyone who takes time to be kind.
For in making others happy we will be happy, too.
For the happiness you give away returns to shine on you.
Clearing
by Martha Postlethwaite
Do not try to save
the whole world
or do anything grandiose.
Instead, create
a clearing
in the dense forest
of your life
and wait there
patiently,
until the song
that is your life
falls into your own cupped hands
and you recognize and greet it.
Only then will you know
how to give yourself to this world
so worthy of rescue.
The Tide Rises, The Tide Falls
by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
The tide rises, the tide falls,
The twilight darkens, the curlew calls;
Along the sea-sands damp and brown
The traveller hastens toward the town,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.
Darkness settles on roofs and walls,
But the sea, the sea in the darkness calls;
The little waves, with their soft, white hands,
Efface the footprints in the sands,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.
The morning breaks; the steeds in their stalls
Stamp and neigh, as the hostler calls;
The day returns, but nevermore
Returns the traveller to the shore,
And the tide rises, the tide falls.
Next steps: If you enjoyed this short selection, consider joining a class to hear some more and experience mindfulness qualities firsthand, or continue exploring my mindfulness resources page.
