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Gratefulness
Enjoy this practice as a stand-alone experience or as the third of an eight-day series celebrating National Poetry Month and inspired by Br. David's appreciation of and experience with haiku.
Haiku is all about the fleeting preciousness of experience, nature, and our seamless connection to everything. ~ Tom Clausen
Welcome.
Today we will explore how approaching life with a haiku “mindset” is essentially a gratefulness practice that can reveal a profound sense of belonging. Through inviting all of our senses to be awake to the revelatory possibility in each moment we are in touch with the “fleeting preciousness of experience” and of nature. Br. David Steindl-Rast has said “Most of the time we go around as if everybody else was in and we were out and why am I the orphan in the universe? But once in a while something breaks through, this universal love, that universal ‘yes’ to belonging touches us and all of a sudden we come alive.” Opening to “that universal ‘yes’ to belonging” can be a gift of haiku.
Haiku and calligraphy by Br. David Steindl-Rast
As we turn our attention to writing haiku, Tom Clausen encourages us to:
Start with major signifiers in our universe, the stars, our sun, our moon, the planets, our water, oceans, rivers, lakes, ponds, streams, puddles, rain drops, dew drops, our weather, our seasons, our mother earth, mountains, hills, trees, shrubs, plants, flowers, and little by little the seamless connection and relation of yourself will become ever more aware, linked, and suffused in everything around you.
Such engagement with our world will make it clear “that we are all part of an intricate miraculous web of belonging.”
Today we invite you to connect with “major signifiers of our universe.” Gaze into a pond or up at the stars. Watch some ants or lean against a tree, feeling its strength, texture, and resilience. Contemplate the planets, seasons, or the wonder and miracle of the breath that animates your being. Allow yourself a few minutes to feel what arises — noticing if and how you feel connected to the universe of which you are a part.
Experiment with writing a haiku (or more than one!) that expresses your experience. Feel free to share your reflections or poem(s) in the reflection area below.
Enjoy the full eight-day Exploring Haiku practice.
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she is gone old soul little girl beautiful Autumn Raines
broken heart weeping silent memories spring is cold
one thousand nine hundred and forty days a lifetime
two thousand cranes from her brother’s classmates no comfort
mourning breaks self-medicating again winter comes
spring again first anniversary death remember
torturing myself will it ever end surrender
gratitude colors beauty Autumn leaves still sorrow
December sunshine finally breaks through her birth date
cherry trees fond memories fill my mind so much love
life anew springs from death circle of life solace gave
thank You, LORD accepted grace blesses for Your glory
eternal life we will meet again then Autumn Raines
Late to the party….life has slowed down and opened up space for me to continue on this haiku journey. I am grateful for this gift.
Trees-Givers of life Xylem Phloem Pure water flowing from my roots miracle food from my leaves
Trees speak to me without words….they are mystical creatures in my eyes…my “spirit animals”. They are miracles of nature and have a unique role in this web of life. They remind me that all living things are inter-connected and all belong.
Cool, rainy outside Warm kitty inside Cat loaf on floral cushion Me in the middle. Sounds of droplets splattering sidewalk Purring sounds Both Rhythmic Harmonious Comforting.
Meteor shower Neck craning, eyes straining up Light trail takes my breath
Distant mountain reflections The wind cools my face Beauty surrounds me each day
Gazing out the window cat tail seeds light as a feather wonder trust seeds for new life
Light rain falls again Bringing green grass and flowers Windshield wipers on.
Clouds roam morning sky Where are you going today Sun plays through cloud holes
A Star settles With sparkles on edges Delighted above a mountaintop
Snowcaped as icing Flowing with an cascade Tiny eyes flash
Smiles broad and dimpled Yet a teardrop Flower filters each
Grass greenery Blades barely blowing A bumble twitches.
Tiny bird, Tapping on my window. Perfection in miniature.
#waka Famous cone mountain Hokusai’s thirty-six views Each a unique take A wondrous moment at the shore of Kawaguchigo
Wish to add that belonging also transcends time. The past, present and future. We are all connected. Human being expires but Mother Earth, nature continue to inspire.
Crisp spring morning air Light creeps in. Darkness subsides. Birds awakening.
Woodpecker pecks tree Cardinal singing sweet song A single crow caws
The daybreak heightens Blush of rose warms eastern sky Daylight emerging
I watched the sun come up yesterday and wrote a whole page…what a great start to my day!
a cloud of white wings a cacophony of squawks corellas landing
branches toss under churning sky while sturdy bulbs push upright hopeful shoots, undeterred
Breathing in God’s Love It permeates my being Nothing else matters
Muddy paws again! winter’s frosty feet melted by April’s warm breath
Tulip shoots grow green – straight through the lacy brown leaves Spring creeps forcefully
Tacky, gummy, goo Spring brings bug death and new life All at the same time
Cartwheels on the beach Five year old legs, exuberant practice – “I nailed it!”
Waxing moon pulls Emotions rise and fall like the tide. The sea in me.
Dandelion. Bee. Green grass soft under bare feet- Spring offers her hand.
Last call for winter Unwanted leftover snow On the river edge
Write an entry in your private gratefulness journal
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We are delighted to announce the release of Kristi Nelson’s book Wake Up Grateful
