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Gratefulness
Enjoy this practice as a stand-alone experience or as the seventh of an eight-day series inspired by Br. David's appreciation of and experience with haiku.
Haiku is essentially a recognition of the miracle of existence and our gift is to report in words anything that can help another person feel this too. ~ Tom Clausen
Welcome.
According to poet Tom Clausen: “Haiku contain as subjects nearly everything! Nothing is too big or small to be included.” The entirety of existence is available for our focused attention, our delight, and celebration.
In a lengthy list titled “Why Haiku?” Tom includes the following: “to show the ‘aha’ moment and suggest the wonder of existence; to exercise a spiritual communion with our place in this world; to have an epiphany; to give a voice to nature and discovery; to celebrate our connection to nature and all that is non-human; to praise the life in the inanimate…” and much, much more. We see that haiku can indeed be a grand celebration — a profound honoring of the great fullness of life and the gift of helping others to feel that too.
Haiku and calligraphy by Br. David Steindl-Rast
In a brief description of haiku, Br. David Steindl-Rast writes, “The best among them capture a moment of intense awareness; they awake your senses. No comment by the poet; simply one given moment which is fully – and thus gratefully – perceived.” And of peak experiences, out of which haiku are often born, Br. David says, “Not only is our intellect aroused by its truth, and our will by its goodness, but our emotions respond to its beauty. And what do the emotions say? ‘Let’s celebrate!’”
Today we invite you to welcome a celebratory spirit into your day and allow it to influence how you see the world and how you will craft your haiku. Remember, nothing is too big or too small to be included and fully — thus gratefully — perceived. Experiment with writing a haiku that expresses your experience of expansiveness, appreciation, and celebration. Feel free to share any reflections and/or your poem in the reflection area below.
Enjoy the full eight-day Exploring Haiku practice.
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white moon haze in tree silhouettes deer dance peepers return Earth alive
His violin lilts, mingling as kids dart and dash through dappled spring trees.
three in the morning and smoke detector chirping – strangest bird ever
☺
Garden beds exposed Driftwood pieces on brown soil Search for them next month
Day ten with new hip Science, nature: miracle Metal gift from earth.
ember and kindling inner fire longs for the flame logs of will and breath
Four feet in the air. Soft, white belly exposed. The miracle of trust.
hints of green and rose spring slowly announces her presence and we are blessed
So many colors! Yellows, reds, purples and blues – Beautiful flowers!
Sunlight streaming through Angel window ornament, Bedazzle my day. — Pain and suffering? My Holy Week pondering is birthing new life.
love the funny dentist haiku by Brother David
Bike fall face flat down blood spreading fear meets soft soles circled communion
Black illuminates falling stars, rising beams and moon following us
Every moment Gifts and treasures are right here Simple and ornate
At the street corner Waiting for the light to turn Ten blessings to cheer
Soft eyes and warm heart Experience joy today Even in the rain
Knj 4/17/19
Pulse rate of 102, in crowded doctor’s office waiting to be seen.
Marble bench awaits me resting while I enjoy lunch anxious thoughts are gone.
Magnificent pink Magnolia tree with blossoms Pond turtles stretched out to look.
Counting syllables/ To express the wonder I see/ Happy Haiku Day!
Crazy busy day – walk the dog in the woods – Ahhhhh.
Apparently today is Haiku Poetry Day – or so I saw. Who knew there was such a thing.
bright red cardinal against chartreuse green leaves mouth open wide singing
Beach walk at sunrise Dolphins in the distance Playful for this day
morning measured by the clock aspen tree grows measured by the light
Activist gala Celebrating our story World alive in joy
Write an entry in your private gratefulness journal
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