Practices of the Heart

(on retreat, spring ’25)

Sensing early on, there were so many broken hearts in this room,

whether broken by the ending of long-term relationships, or by the state of the world, or by whatever else.

It is the broken hearts who come to a retreat on the heart practices,

the hearts who’ve had everything taken away and know deep sorrow,

the hearts that with our teacher’s loving guidance,

have perhaps begun to remember that kindness starts with us

and have at least imagined what it would be like to be free from our deepest regret, 

and of our doubt and unlovability,

while being there for ourselves,

hearts that have played with giving away beautiful flowers from their ever-replenishing gardens,

spreading joy throughout our community and world.

And now, with our hearts perhaps a little less broken 

after four days of practice together,

as we go out into the rest of the world,

May we remember the rain falling gently

and washing away negativity with presence and compassion.

May our scars be as beautiful as the gnarled trees outside the sanctuary.

May we give flowers from our hearts’ gardens not only to others

but also to ourselves, to our hearts, and to our own regrets.

May the Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha lead our hearts onwards in their journeys, creating safe spaces for us, 

sanctuaries for our hearts and minds inside of us,

where we find the only true refuge –

when we look with soft eyes and wise minds,

arriving home within ourselves,

okay at last,

with kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity 

watering the flower gardens of our hearts

and the wisdom of our minds.

And may our spiritual intentions blossom like the flowers of our hearts

in an everlasting spring.