"The lantern which I carry in my hand makes enemy of the darkness of the farther road, And this wayside becomes a terror to me, where even the flowering tree frowns like a spectre of scowling menace, and the sound of my own steps comes back to me in the echo of muffled suspicion. Therefore, I pray for Your own morning light, when the far and the near will kiss each other, and life will be one in love." - Rabindranath Tagore

While listening to the recording of the recent Vajra Dakini dialogue, this poem came to mind. Many of you may be familiar with it already, but I offer it in response to all of your beautiful sharing. Take it to heart. "Quiet friend who has come so far, Feel how your breathing makes more space around you. Let this darkness be a belltower, and you the bell. As you ring, what batters you becomes your strength. Move back and forth into the change. What is it like, such intensity of pain? If the drink is bitter, turn yourself into wine. In this uncontainable night, Be the mystery at the crossroads of your senses, The meaning discovered there. And if the world has ceased to hear you, Say to the silent earth: I flow. To the rushing water, speak: I am." - Rainer Maria Rilke

Iron-hearted indifference Silently allowing my ignorant Clinging to corpses Until I become one. Now I notice The scythe and veil - Looks like death, but Dissolution = liberation.