People have been sitting on this rock
for at least ten thousand years.
The boulder is Matilija sandstone –
it glows pink in the sunset & sunrise.
The trees are Ponderosa pine –
they smell like cream soda.
The vista sweeps across
mountains, ocean & islands.
For a moment, in that spot
this whole thing, this whole thing
gathers itself together –
The natural & the divine.
The ancient & the modern.
The pain, grief & fear.
The hope, love & joy.
The darkness & the light.
The living & the dead.
The world as one,
held in the heart.
The practice is not easy,
but very simple –
Bring the mind home to the breath
& let the heart become great enough
to hold all of it, all of it, in peace.