The Four Foundations

Holding not Having

Breath: is
Body: is
What the hands hold
The hands can free

Long, short
Aware, calm
The steps of the Dance
Are not the Dance

Hearing not Being

Joy: is
Feeling: is
The senses sing
The music of life

Joyful: happy
Aware: calm
Hearing the music
Not being the song

Observing not Thinking

Mind: is
Concentration: is
I write the story of the world
In sand

Aware: happy
Concentrated: liberated
The wind erases my words;
I smile

Everything not Anything

Impermanence: is
Cessation: is
This breath is the Buddha's breath
This step is the Buddha's step

Impermanent: aimless
Empty: free
I choose the path
Life walks through me

Breath short
Breath long
Body present
Body calm

Joy present
Happiness present
Feelings present
Feelings calm

Mind present
Mind happy
Mind focused
Mind free

Empty
Signless
Aimless
Free