Several weeks ago we read this poem at our Wednesday morning group.  We found it profoundly moving.  

 

Most of us are familiar with Jon Kabat-Zinn's writings.  His work resonates with how we try to incorporate meditation into our lives.  It is very gracious and generous of Jon to grant us permission to include this poem in our blog.


 

 Tasting Mindfulness

by Jon Kabat-Zinn



“Have you ever had the experience of stopping so completely,

of being in your body so completely,

of being in your life so completely,

that what you knew and what you didn’t know

that what had been and what was yet to come,

and the way things are right now

no longer held even the slightest hint of anxiety or discord?

It would be a moment of complete presence, beyond striving, beyond mere acceptance,

beyond the desire to escape or fix anything or plunge ahead,

a moment of pure being, no longer in time,

a moment of pure seeing, pure feeling,

a moment in which life simply is,

and that “is-ness” grabs you by all your senses,

all your memories, by your very genes,

by your loves, and

welcomes you home.”

  

Many thanks to Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn for granting permission to use his work. 


Coming to Our Senses: Healing Ourselves and the World Through Mindfulness  by Jon Kabat-Zinn  © 2005 Hyperion, NY NY pg 243.