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Gratefulness
The final day of an eight-day practice celebrating National Poetry Month and 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.
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Housing estate redeemed by trees overpowering gangs of daisies
This course has been awesome, thank you. Living in an urban environment, I continually try to notice nature, to bring myself into the present, as a daily practice. Now I find haiku rising unbidden in my mind as I do this. And yes, those moments of illumination are the true happiness.
What shall I look at many things to consider Find words to match heart
A deep bow also to you. Thank you for the ways these eight days have blessed me. Through the writing of Haiku by me and all the others who have shared – I am thankful. I wrote the following a few weeks ago.
blooming red bud tree spreads it’s weathered branches i SING, it is SPRING!
Haiku is a Gift EVERYONE can share in it Living in the NOW.
Brats and kraut comin’ up Yet another sleepless night So grateful to be alive!
8 days of exploring Haiku. What an elegant and joyful invitation to help me deepen my connection to nature, to silence, to the present moment, to play, to life, and more. Am definitely adding haiku as a regular practice to my life. Just having done it for a few times now, I can get a glimpse of how profound it might be, just like the gratefulness journal already is. Thank you so much!
I have been struggling with a low mood of late, for a variety of reasons. Yesterday’s walk was so enriched by jotting short phrases, the beginning of haiku, all along the way. I probably wrote about 20 or so in one hour. It brought me so much joy to write them , share them on Facebook with a challenge to others to do the same, and a challenge to a friend who is the father of three young children to have them explore writing haiku as well.
I shared this one yesterday, but it probably captures my joy from this week’s exercise better than the others. It is a practice I will definitely continue. With gratitude!
Late for work Playing hooky to write haiku Capturing moment, by moment
What a perfectly wonderful reason to play hooky!
I have enjoyed the opportunity to practice haiku and learn more about the form during these eight days. Thank you for this gift!
logs with golden eyes lying on the river bank— gators sunbathing
What an amazing sight that is! Great celebration of the fearsome dragons!
Simply complex words cleverness opens wisdom meaning emerges
Illumination darkness is manifested soul in love with life
Gratitude in word called to make expression live Three words reveal love.
stride into beauty welcome leaf stone water cloud displace heart’s outrage
Butterscotch ear tip; Green eyes gleam over proud pink nose. Maggie wants no hugs today, just a lap.
I can’t thank people enough for the 8 days of Haiku and comments. I’ve so enjoyed them. Delightful!
While sipping coffee The Sun rises so brightly On our suffering
Starting a new job Many challenges emerge Take it hour by hour.
Last night, moon ablaze in endless space, lighting up the sky. Today, clouds.
Mother’s glowing smile My brother is so funny Off duty today
Awakening thoughts arise in haiku forms New morning ritual?
crisp air, fog ascends body breaking the water’s flesh loon calling his mate
A lump of soft clay Spiraling into a bowl Inevitably.
A Friday evening, Yankees on the radio. Bubbles in the bath.
A daughter’s sadness. A leaky roof in the rain. Hurt without relief.
Gratitude waking Sun lighting the morning heart A new day rising
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