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Friday, October 19, 2012

Meditation and me, for Real Toads

At the Imaginary Garden with Real Toads, Laurie's word this week is "meditation" — a concept with which I've struggled for years, due to my body's inability to relax.

I'm thrilled Laurie added the photo That was Zen, This is Meow I e-mailed her, but I should have explained I got it via Facebook, after heaven-knows-how-many people shared it, but it originated with Samuel Greenberg at 


The art accompanying my submission for today's Word with Laurie also came from Samuel Greenberg, from his site at: www.sun-gazing.com

I can’t achieve a meditative state
because my muscles won’t cooperate
they won’t relax when asked to
they don’t relax when I sleep
I’m simply just too tense to contemplate

I go to the beach and lie on the sand
the ocean and sky are both very grand
but the sun burns my skin
and it makes me perspire
so I retreat once again to dry land

I go to the forest, sit 'neath a tree
no one here but Mother Nature and me
looking up through leafy lace
I think this must be the place
where I can relax, but it’s not to be

so I pay money to go to a spa
for a massage with zen oils, lah ti dah
I feel some relaxation
while the treatment’s going on
but when it stops I’m tense again, oh, bah

I must accept “acceptance is the way”
and that this tensed-up body’s really Kay
I know I shouldn’t hate it,
I have to learn to love it,
and, if I still can’t meditate, I’ll pray 
© Kay Davies, 2012

© Samuel Greenberg www.sun-gazing.com



19 comments:

Laurie Kolp said...

LOL- You crack me up.

Wonderful message here, Kay... prayer leads me to meditate and meditation usually leads me to sleep. I think very few can achieve the "ideal" meditative state.

Thanks again for sharing the picture. I'll add the proper credits.

Kerry O'Connor said...

You have offered a uniquely individual response to the Zen theme, Kay. I can relate because meditation has never worked for me!

Leave It To Davis said...

I love the "that was zen....this is meow"....hilarious!

Daydreamer said...

This made me smile Kay. I agree with Laurie, very few can achieve the real meditative state. This was written with a lot of good humour :)

Sherry Blue Sky said...

I LOVE this post. Adore the "that was Zen, this is meow" photo.......and your difficulties relaxing, leading to the perfect "if I still cant meditate, I'll pray". That works, too. Classic Kay humor. So much fun.

Powell River Books said...

The "meow" in the picture reminds me a lot of our Stick Tail. He is so black, it is sometimes hard to see his eyes. - Margy

Hannah said...

I've always wanted to be able to succeed at actual meditation...no go!

Your poem made me laugh, Kay!

Yes, acceptance...that in itself would cause one to relax, I think. :)

Unknown said...

Like the tone of your poem, Kay!
Each person achieves peace of mind and peace in mind, individually. Meditation works for some but not so much for others.
There are ways to find that state in other dimensions.:)

Amrit Sinha said...

I loved the way you described it ... I try meditating, but then it's tough to get into the perfect zone !!!

Margaret said...

:) You have a wonderful funny bone lately! I am not great at meditating... but I DO love to read. That might be the closest I come.

Penelope Notes said...

I enjoyed reading your poem, Kay, and as always there is truth to be found in the humour. Sometimes meditation is the same as a prayer. :)

kaykuala said...

There are lots of things going here! You're in full control of life! And all done in such a limerick sort of way. Fantastic Kay!

Hank

Marian said...

Kay, you are so witty, i love this one. it's funny but so truthy as to make me stop and think.

Unknown said...

the common truth to which you give voice brought a smile and a giggle.

Grace said...

You made me laugh and then gave me a zen reflection, acceptance is the way ~ Really enjoyed this Kay ~

Susie Clevenger said...

This made me smile...I am afraid I too am too stiff and fidgety...God has to hear my prayers on the move. :)

Jenn Jilks said...

Yep. I gave up meditation! It interfered with my stress cortisol levels.
I earned this nervous breakdown!!! :-) Good work.

Mary said...

Kay, I have never really been able to meditate either. I'm so used to multi-tasking that to concentrate on one thing would take an act of God! LOL. Enjoyed your openness.

Susan said...

How honest with humor! I LOVE a massage and melt in one--not exactly a meditative state. I have not tried for zen, actually, tho I have friends who seem to grow on it . . . . The silence in Quaker meeting is more akin to waiting on God--IE, prayer. The river and mountain part enjambed in my poem "Zen Love Too" is more symbiotic appreciation, but I find that a relaxing walking mindfulness. Perhaps that is Zen unsought.