Relax... You're Going to Die

If you want to relax
in the dream of living dying
consider your philosophy
because it keeps you
stuck insane or free happy

Your fear of death
keeps you from being truly alive
so why not embrace dying
your fear of life
keeps you from jumping in
with both feet and experiencing
the infinite array of your own potential
so why not make room
for the totality of you

Scrambling after wealth fame love
all the goodies you think
will make you happy
is a death sentence

Why not grab the key
hanging in your brain heart
on a tree moon in a child’s face

Bathe in the fresh night breeze
breathe out until there’s nothing left
allow the gap to close between
your living and your dying
until you are set free to roam
green mountains walk city streets
sit still in a rocker as the lights dim
in the magic of being

Dying into Redwoods

I often lean against a redwood tree
and die into the bark
my spine rising
into the blue of sky

My legs become roots
journeying down
into unseen waters
my breath slows softens
my eyes open in wonder
great cumulous clouds
dance over the mountain peak

Soon I’ll return
to kids computers stress and modern plagues
but for this moment I choose
to let what I conveniently call myself die
and I dwell in the house of relaxation and peace
where you and I are inextricably entwined
in the living and dying of all things

A Wish for the World

May All Beings Be Happy!

May All Beings Be One!

May All Beings Be Free!

About the Author

Tai Sheridan is a poet, philosopher, and Zen priest. He transforms ancient Buddhist and Zen texts into accessible and inspirational verses. His Buddha in Blue Jeans series offers a contemporary approach to Buddhist philosophy and awakening.

Books by Tai Sheridan

Buddha in Blue Jeans Series

Buddha in Blue Jeans: An Extremely Short Zen Guide to Being Buddha

Relax… You’re Going to Die

Secrets of True Happiness

Buddhist Classics in Modern Verse

Celestial Music: Sutras of Emptiness

The Lotus / Diamond / Heart-Wisdom / Loving Kindness Sutras

The Bare Bones Dhammapada: Big Mind Big Love

Buddha’s Essential Teachings

The Buddhacarita: A Modern Sequel

The Poetic Saga of Buddha’s Life From Birth to Enlightenment

The Zen Wheel of Life Mantra: A Song of Luminous Wisdom and Love

Based on the Bhavacakra — The Wheel of Life Mandala

Zen Classics in Modern Verse

The Light of the Ancient Buddhas: Ballads of Emptiness and Awakening

Based on Keizan’s Transmission of the Light

Rice Eyes: Enlightenment in Dogen’s Kitchen

A poetic version of Dogen’s Tenzo Kyokun on enlightened living and practice

Snow Falling in Moonlight: Odes in Praise of Dogen’s Shobogenzo

Twelve Poems based on Dogen’s Shobogenzo:The Treasury of the True Dharma Eye

Warm Zen Practice: A Poetic Version of Dogen’s Bendowa

Whole Hearted Way

Collections

Buddha’s Light Body: Collected Works of Tai Sheridan

Copyright

Published by Tai Sheridan

Copyright 2012 Tai Sheridan

Kindle Edition

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