the staff

a mystic carries his staff

(representative of Guru's teachings

and grace)

like a one that could not 

be sturdy without it 

he carries it to steady himself

as he moves thru 

the ups and downs of the world 

he carries it to be not afraid 

and disturbed by 

any experience no matter how 

joyous or how biting 

he carries it to set himself 

on the righteous path until 

the heart is entered 

and peace is an abiding 

experience 

he carries it to let no thoughts 

be in charge of his journey

for he does not know the way

to the heart 

he does not know the turns 

and the passages that will come 

around the corner 

he does not know when it will end 

but he does not worry
as he has within his heart
the guiding force
of non-dual wisdom that shines
when he finds himself in hard times 

he goes to his own soul 

to be within what is right 

within quietude he dwells

he does not resist experience 

but surrenders into what 

comes as a wave that passes

and breathes and relaxes 

in the heart 

always moving this way

without fear or anxiety

he does not see without the grace given 

he cannot be clear without the grace given

he cannot be steady without the grace given

so onward into himself he sinks 

into this way of unknowing that will 

bring in it's time 

the greatest blessing of all of life 

realization

stillness 

freedom

the peace that passes

all understanding 

this is the journey of the mystic