Mother Teresa Quote

Do not think that love, in order to be genuine, has to be extraordinary.

What we need is to love without getting tired.

How does a lamp burn? Through the continuous input of small drops of oil...

Be faithful in small things because it is in them that your strength lies.

~ Mother Teresa

John and Tirzah Wear's Wedding Sunday, June 14th, 2009

I thought it might rain on my way to the wedding.
My husband is waiting for me, leaning on the bumper of
his black pick up truck. I am extremely glad to see him.
I have 2 purses full, of makeup and hair care products,
the other with regular purse junk. Plus I have my book,
The Essential Rumi, as well as my small notebook with
the order of the service, some notes and my wedding
mantra in it with the translation. Basically, my lifeline.

I find my mother and have her pin my gorgeous bright pink
calla lily corsage onto the short sleeved sweater that I am wearing
over my beige, block patterned sundress. The day begins
to brighten. We walk to where the wedding guests are all
seated. I am completely filled with calmness and love and
feel full of the present moment.

The bride is running late. Children start to assemble with bubble
blowers and noise makers for when she comes down the aisle.
Someone says, "I see the bride." Everyone sort of assembles,
themselves, the groom, the best man and I at the arbor, waiting.

The ceremony begins as I greet the guests to celebrate the union
of the happy couple. I read a poem, tell a story, a beautiful woman
with a voice from the gods sings, the bride and groom read their vows
I ask if they really do want to marry each other. They both say,
"I do." I chant a mantra for peace. I say, "You may now kiss
the bride." I introduce the happy newly wed couple as Mr. & Mrs.

Later, much later, after food has been put away and chairs folded
and returned and I have changed into my regular me clothes, I sit
in the car and suddenly I am stunned by what has just happened.
I have committed a spiritual act, brought two souls together in
harmonious union. I feel drained to my toes of my life's essence.
I go to bed and sleep profoundly.

Something You Mentioned

Something you mentioned
the other day about
meeting in the field
of knowing and not-knowing
and there, finding love
has stuck in my head.
I couldn't help but think
that this was not the love
of the dance between
two lovers. But rather the
dance of loving ourselves
through watching and
not watching, seeing and not-
seeing.

How did we come to find
that field? Surely we did not
walk or run or fly there. It
rests deep inside the core
of our very being, the reflection
in the mirror of our consciousness.
When we look do we find true love?
I found it once, reflected in the face
of a true knower, a seer. I threw
my earthly possessions away, caring
only to prostrate myself to the one
whom I had met on that field.
In his eyes, I met my true Self.

Only after going deep inside,
unlocking the body,
through the eyes and breath.
Holding, releasing, surrendering.
A journey of a thousand miles
that began without a single
footstep. And I found my way
to clear vision; saw and felt
the way the gods must see
and feel. Clearly and with
perfect love.