all these insane borders we protect

A woman's body, like the earth, has seasons;

when the mountain stream flows,

when the holy thaws,

when I am most fragile and in need,

it was then, it seemed,

God came closest.

God, like a medic on a field, is tending our souls.

Our horns get locked with desires, but don't hold yourself

too accountable; for all desires are really innocent. 

That is what the compassion in His eyes tell me.

Why this great war between the countries -- the countries --

inside of us?

What are all these insane borders we protect?

What are all these different names for the same church of love

we kneel in together? For it is true, together we live; and only

at that shrine where all are welcome will God sing

loud enough to be heard.

Our horns got locked with the earth and sky in some odd

marriage ritual; so what, don't worry. We should be proud of

ourselves for everything we helped create in this

magic world.

And God is always there, if you feel wounded. He kneels

over this earth like a divine medic,

and His love thaws the holy in us.

~ St. Teresa of Avila

from Love Poems From God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West

version by Daniel Ladinsky
art by picasso

with thanks to http://peacefullpresence.blogspot.com/

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learn self-conquest

.

Learn self-conquest, 

persevere thus for a time, 

and you will perceive very clearly the advantage which you gain from it. 

As soon as you apply yourself to contemplation, 

you will at once feel your senses gather themselves together: 

they seem like bees which return to the hive and there 

shut themselves up to work at the making of honey. 

~ Saint Teresa of Avila

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I loved what I could love

.

I had a natural passion for fine clothes, excellent food, and

lively conversation about all matters that concern

the heart still alive.  And even a passion 

about my own 

looks.

.

Vanities: they do not exist.

.

Have you ever walked across a stream stepping on

rocks so not to spoil a pair of shoes?

.

All we can touch, swallow, or say

aids in our crossing to God

and helps unveil the 

soul.

.

Life smooths us, rounds, perfects, as does the river the stone,

and there is no place our Beloved is not flowing

though the current's force you

may not always

like.

.

Our passions help to lift us.

.

I loved what I could love until I held Him,

for then - all things - every world

disappeared.

.

~ Saint Teresa of Avila

.

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feel your senses gather themselves together

Learn self-conquest, preserve thus for a time,

and you will perceive very clearly the advantage which you gain from it.

As soon as you apply yourself to contemplation,

you will at once feel your senses gather themselves together:

they seem like bees which return to the hive

and there shut themselves up to work at the making of honey.

~ Saint Teresa of Avila

Complete concentration is complete relaxation.

 The ability to work on a job with total concentration, 
and then put it out of your mind when necessary,
 is a skill which can be cultivated. 
Through practice, 
we can learn to drop whatever we are doing and turn our attention to a more urgent need.
 When you are absorbed in a favorite book and your partner interrupts you, 
set the book aside and give your complete attention to what he or she is saying.
 If part of your mind is on the conversation and part on what you have been reading, 
there will be division and tension in the mind. 

When we practice this one-pointedness during the day,
 it will greatly help our meditation.
 The mind will much more quickly become recollected. 

~  Eknath Easwaran

.

.

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