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Gratefulness
Enjoy this practice as a stand-alone experience or as the last of an eight-day series inspired by Br. David's appreciation of and experience with haiku.
Haiku are a healthy habit…a haiku sensibility, a haiku heart and mind can bring you a healthy incremental happiness by establishing relationships and meaning with the near infinite forms and life forms in our world. ~ Tom Clausen
Welcome.
In his essay, A Basic Human Approach to Happiness, Br. David Steindl-Rast writes: “the one basic condition of the human psyche that accounts for genuine happiness is living in the now.” He acknowledges the difficulty in putting this sense of awareness into words and thus quotes T.S. Eliot:
… happiness — not the sense of well-being, Fruition, fulfilment, security or affection, …but the sudden illumination—
It is this “sudden illumination” to which haiku opens us.
When we slow down enough to truly notice the distinctions in our moments, offer our attention to the intricacies of our lives, and make ourselves available to unexpected illumination, awareness, and appreciation — as readers and writers of haiku do — we are living gratefully. With this grateful orientation, we appreciate more of what is already in our lives and thereby open ourselves to ever-new sources of wonder and joy.
Tom Clausen offers the following advice:
If certain things bring you happiness, recognize that the more that you relate to and can find happiness the happier you may be. For instance if you had not considered clouds a source of happiness, think of how they are free to see, are there almost every day, and are varied, changing constantly, and something that could be a source of wonder, observation, and happiness.
Haiku and calligraphy by Br. David Steindl-Rast
Just as we can cultivate gratefulness through practice, we can cultivate a haiku sensibility (which, as we now see, can also inspire a grateful sensibility) through continual dedication and devotion.
Tom further advises us to:
Keep writing whether you think it is good or not… the practice and habit of writing is fairly important in the same way that physical health is linked to consistent physical exercise. Mental and emotional health are as much tied to finding what helps you achieve peace of mind, equilibrium, and stability. A regular writing practice is a wonderful way to engage yourself and work your way through the emotional landscape of your life especially the tough times and challenges.
Today we invite you to reflect on your experience over the past week and consider adding haiku as a regular practice to your life: How has haiku impacted you and the way you see the world? What might an intention to continue your practice look like?
As this is the final day of our time together we invite you also to share one haiku which has been particularly meaningful to you. If you haven’t shared in the reflection area yet, now is your opportunity to embrace vulnerability and step into the shared belonging of creativity. With true haiku sensibility — surprise us!
With a deep bow to you for your attention to and engagement with this practice. We are so grateful.
Enjoy the full eight-day Exploring Haiku practice.
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At the window seat I watch clouds float painting shadows on the desert.
for true happiness live in the moment, the now with wonder and joy
Curiosity his name His call A blooming flower
Thorn in the left eye However cheerful To explore
Heartfelt digging Poppie fields Forevers from God
This is a collection I wrote a few years ago. Haiku really is a favorite medium for conveying what I perceive in a particular moment.
Gifts of a Day Off and a Dead Phone:
“Write me a haiku” I do this for you gladly Fall’s gifts amaze me
I honored young me Her lonely pain and courage Integration heals
My trusty phone died Electronic hiatus Unplugged for a while
Writing flows with ease Is that all it takes? Unplug?!! Being here, right now
I am preparing Taking stock, gathering and Open, allowing
Pilgrimage prelude Train, meditate, contemplate In spacious clear light
Taking refuge here Greens, golds, reds, rain-soaked dark earth Wisdom permeates
Karen Johnstone 10/29/15
The wise old teacher leads us along paths of joy into connection. 🙂
Tiny shell in my hand Fragile perfection Held too tightly Shattered
I wrote this about an experience I had as a young child, so proud to show my Mother the perfect, tiny sand dollar I found on the beach. As I ran to her, I grasped it in my clenched fist. When I reached her, I excitedly opened my hand to reveal crushed pieces where the perfect shell had been. As I wrote the haiku today, it made me think of how much I hold on to perfection and how the fear of disappointing others or not living up to their expectations can paralyze me and crush the hopes and dreams I have for myself. With this particular haiku, I was finally able to let myself stray from the 5-7-5 structure and that small thing in itself was freeing. This Haiku practice has been such a wonderful way for me to start to let go of some rigid thinking and connect with writing (and life) in a different way. Many thanks to all who have shared and to Gratefulness.org, for the experience.
Hi Cristina, Thank you for participating in this practice and your ‘letting go’ gift. ❤
Wonder of weathers Breeze from east, sun overhead Clouds appear, rain drops.
Cardinals whistle Robins step-stop sensing worms Earth ready to sprout.
One-day flower, fleeting beauty poured with generosity
Below 30th parallel Heat humidity melt Haiku Yes, that’s alright, too.
gusting wind creates a visual symphony of dancing leaves
One more….
Words, lens can’t capture full moon’s resplendent glow so I sit, beholding.
In this morning’s sprint I could have hit all my marks and missed everything.
I’d written this haiku at about this time last year – a morning when I’d made my usual dash to the office and thankfully was also present enough to notice magnificent roses in bloom as I walked. I share this particular haiku here now because it holds true: This eight-day practice has been invaluable in guiding my focus, attention, and creative expression deeply and gratefully to the present moment. This practice has been a gift to receive and was so thoughtfully prepared and offered. Thank you!
This is an amazing haiku. Thank you for sharing it. So to the point and simple.
Haiku thank you’s
hands dancing kites swirl winds spins limbs, leaving trees bare dragons fighting air
Too much busy-ness – sitting now with cat in lap reading wonderful haiku!
Watching clouds, trees while driving yet staying present to the traffic.
I too have really enjoyed these days of haiku practice and plan to write more. I already write a few lines of poetry each day – some like haiku, others more involved – some I like and some not.
Nancy I can relate.
Today – Good Friday Sun peeps through clouds Appropriate.
Doves perch near window. My coos receive loud reply, giving me wide smile. Haiku poems go on, giving more joy I continue to gaze at each moment. Thanks for everyone’s creative moments here.
tranquil eventide how the massive blue star hums BEyond the haiku
Raven lands on branch; in unison our heads tilt, he watches me plant.
A curious moment i enjoy remembering. Isn’t that what haiku is: curiosity and wonderment. Thank you for sharing this practice and your insights. It enhanced my life.
dynamic birdsong morning breeze soft against skin loving energy
pierus blooms slow fade waiting for what is to come open the heart wide
morning routine of coffee, dog walk, birds’ state of the union… not so routine
Write an entry in your private gratefulness journal
This silent peace meditation features opening wisdom from Br. David Steindl-Rast and is presented in…
Returning to the magic and mystery of questions as a daily practice, we continually open…
When after heavy rain the storm clouds disperse, is it not that they’ve wept themselves…
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