Be Here, Now

What is this mystery called Life
That keeps us so alive in the moment
Yet, deadens the soul
When we’re anyplace else?

The pain of wishing …
“I wish he were here,” “I wish I were there.”
Wishing takes us any place
Except to the place
Where our wish could possibly come true.

Denying experience
Is like living between two sheets of glass,
Never able to reach way out in front
Or stretch way behind.
We’re dead in our longing.

But embracing experience,
Even as you rock back and forth in a pain
That smothers your soul,
Is less painful than wishing the pain away,
Then wishing it were tomorrow or yesterday.

The present moment is where Love waits for us all,
Nowhere else can it be found
but amidst the suffering.
Where you and your experience are one
Is the Divine peace
You are so desperately seeking.

So, my friend,
Look not to avoid your pain,
For you will only come up against it more.
Embrace it.
Embrace the moment when life seems like a mockery
When you feel like God is laughing in your face,
And there, shall you find the peace
You were searching so hard
To find everywhere else.