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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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tending to my plants spring brings new growth and blossoms my joy is boundless
Love this!
Thank you!
Morning time alone A cup of tea and nature’s song Eye’s close, deep sigh
Fully dressed tree With Majestic fluffs of pine needles Ready for a Spring Party.
I so treasured this daily practice. The different focus each day prompted new perspectives and a growing awareness of how a word can obscure truth, or magnify beauty. Thank-you.
Inspiration lifts Heart fills head bows Grateful one Love soars life gives thanks
Will get notebook soon in which Haikus will reside Full joy each new day
This is a haiku I wrote years ago that still makes me laugh:
chocolate chip mountain and purple trees in orange skies God dancing with me
In grade school during art time I would draw a mountain that the teacher claimed looked like a chocolate chip so couldn’t be real. What she didn’t know was that my grandparents lived near a butte that looks exactly like a chocolate chip and I loved that place! That memory has never left me. The purple trees and orange skies were a sunset in the Smoky Mountains. Together the two visions capture so much…
Along the way, the teacher in his/her understanding ways, lost the magic carpet ride of mystery. What is real is what’s alive in us.
Footprints in the oatmeal – spring-green Haiku-Birds visiting
One of my favorites:
Subtle winds draw forth Rustling gently through the trees Silence stirs within
A good space thank you To encourage grateful hearts Thank you for the gift
New haiku habit Turns eyes from busy road to cherry Blossom glory- joy comes
How can I pack all thoughts I would like to express into short Haikus ???
I wrote this on Day 3 when I was struck by the miracle of breathing in cold air and breathing out warm air:
Bitter April wind brings tears to my eyes, But my warm breath transforms it.
Beautiful!
Lone golden eagle glides up the arcing rainbow, wings whisking colors
the hummingbird shelters under the eaves heavy morning rain
Thank you for bringing a moment of focused calm to my days. Will this site remain open? Would be nice to continue the practice with others.
Hi Islandgal, I hope all is well today. With such an abundance of Haiku treasures being created and shared we are not planning on closing or removing this practice. Thank you so much for your participation!
Strait-jacket beliefs Lock my thinking arms behind. The key to free? Query.
Thank you for these wonderful eight days of haiku!
Chirping, whistling, they swoop and soar towards each other ~ Osprey Courtship Dance
Two pups wait with me Not touched by Barr-time frenzy Quiet time, we three.
The Haiku study seems a kind of community, lovely energy being gathered and released by people reaching for beauty and spirit of the now. Thank you. Shining on my porch, tiny stone, flat and silver grey. Tree frog hops away
delightful words whispers rumors lyrics fairy tales HAIKU!
Black cat in springtime Patiently waits in tall grass The circle of life.
Write an entry in your private gratefulness journal
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