The Buddha’s Diamond Eye

Twinkling today directly into my eye
The diamond worn on the Buddha’s forehead
glistened and grasped my attention.

I heard him say

Be still
Be silent
Sit and listen... only to your own breath

Away from the head full of thought
Away from the heart full of emotions
Away from the body full of aches and pains

Follow only the in breath
Follow only the out breath
Follow the stillness in between the breaths
Follow only the tummy as it naturally
rises and falls and rests with each breath

How simple his words
to comprehend as instructions
and put into actions

How trying these actions
to put into practice
for the duration of the meditation

How serene the outcome
Immediately after the sit

How challenging to carry this calm
Into the crowded streets we walk
The homes we habitually live
The conversations we hold with others
The work we carry out for a living

How honourable to humanity
And all within this universe
To practice holding this same mindfulness
Away from the Buddha’s eye