the invitation
it doesn’t interest me
what you do for a living.
i want to know
what you ache for
and if you dare to dream
of meeting your heart’s longing.
it doesn’t interest me
how old you are.
i want to know
if you will risk
looking like a fool
for love
for your dream
for the adventure of being alive.
it doesn’t interest me
what planets are
squaring your moon…
i want to know
if you have touched
the centre of your own sorrow
if you have been opened
by life’s betrayals
or have become shrivelled and closed
from fear of further pain.
i want to know
if you can sit with pain
mine or your own
without moving to hide it
or fade it
or fix it.
i want to know
if you can be with joy
mine or your own
if you can dance with wildness
and let the ecstasy fill you
to the tips of your fingers and toes
without cautioning us
to be careful
to be realistic
to remember the limitations
of being human.
it doesn’t interest me
if the story you are telling me
is true.
i want to know if you can
disappoint another
to be true to yourself.
if you can bear
the accusation of betrayal
and not betray your own soul.
if you can be faithless
and therefore trustworthy.
i want to know if you can see beauty
even when it is not pretty
every day.
and if you can source your own life
from its presence.
i want to know
if you can live with failure
yours and mine
and still stand at the edge of the lake
and shout to the silver of the full moon,
“yes.”
it doesn’t interest me
to know where you live
or how much money you have.
i want to know if you can get up
after the night of grief and despair
weary and bruised to the bone
and do what needs to be done
to feed the children.
it doesn’t interest me
who you know
or how you came to be here.
i want to know if you will stand
in the centre of the fire
with me
and not shrink back.
it doesn’t interest me
where or what or with whom
you have studied.
i want to know
what sustains you
from the inside
when all else falls away.
i want to know
if you can be alone
with yourself
and if you truly like
the company you keep
in the empty moments.
by oriah
June 15th, 2011 at 12:09 am
So I was checking out the retreat photos and then found this!
Absolutely amazing Amy Jo how do you find these things?
For me this perfectly represents what one would do for someone or something they deeply love. A fearless pursuit of what TRUTHfully matters to them without any hesistation or regards for the consequences. A passionate,uncondtional and never ending pursuit for the ONLY thing that really matters in life, love. A love that will stand the test of time and all that life can ever possibly throw at it. A love that will leave one’s heart with not a single drop of regret.
This feeling of love runs through me at times when I finish my Yoga practice. When I rise up from Savasana and just sit quietly with myself. Sometimes I wonder if others also feel this same deep overwhelming feeling of love rushing through them. It permeates my whole being and brings joyful tears to my eyes. I know it exists for me and for everyone but we must not be afraid to live it and want it. I am no longer afraid and will continue to sit still, breath deeply and wait patiently. For it shall come and when it does, I will be ready.
Thanks for sharing and inspiring me once again Amy Jo
xO Jason
June 19th, 2011 at 9:35 pm
jason. i just found this post. beautiful insight that you have shared. thank you from the bottom of my heart. beautiful words, exquisitely expressed from your big ol’ heart. xoxo