Tag: Poem

Letting Go of Old Identities

Today I fully let go of my old identity

I stand today liberated from any attachments to who I once was

I am reborn today

I am not a gambler

I am not a party boy

I am not a ladies man

God has granted me a new identity

A path of love

A path of compassion and forgiveness

My new identity is of a peaceful warrior

I am a poet

I am an adventurer into the unknown

I am a mystic

A follower of God’s unconditional love

Thank you, thank you 🙏

With love,

Johnny

Within Your Heart

Burn down all churches, temples and mosques

Burn down all holy books

But don’t burn down the human heart!

That’s where God is

The seed of true unconditional love is within us

This seed is patiently waiting to be watered but we must still our minds first

In stillness the holy spirit can transform us

But only if our heart is open to unconditional love

Keep Your Eyes on God

On the spiritual path there are many obstacles diverting us off towards pleasure, money, or fame

Each time our eyes divert from God we must return them

If we can keep our eyes on our family, friends, coworkers, jobs, bank account, shopping, food, or pets we will be diverted off the path towards God.

We will be lost and afraid in the woods

Not knowing which way to go and suffer tremendously

It takes tremendous conviction to keep going on this path

But the rewards of inner peace, serenity and complete liberation are more precious than diamonds

The path towards God is liberation from all greed, hatred and fear

God brings many the gift of unconditional love which liberates us from all self-centeredness and fear

If we keep our eyes on God we have nothing to fear and our days will be filled more and more with love, joy, and inner peace

With love,

Johnny Hoffman

Follow Love

Every decision we can make in this world is based on love or fear

Choose love based decisions and you will wake up to a life that you truly love

Choose fear based decisions and you will wake up to a life you fear

It’s as simple as that

Through a mindfulness practice we can become aware of what true love is

Love is not controlling

Love is not manipulative

Love is not attached

Love is liberating

Love deeply heals the parts of us consumed with greed, hatred and fear

Your brother,

Johnny

You Are a Miracle

You are a miracle

Many stars had to die for you to exist

Millions of your ancestors had to meet for you to smile

Many minerals, plants and animals had to die for you to be alive

The miracle of life is all around and within us at every moment

To touch the miracle of life is to touch the divinity of everything at once

A single cell becomes a human being

A single mustard seed sprouts into a massive tree

Housing many birds and other life forms

The practice of mindfulness is to get in touch with the miracle of life

Too often fear, hatred and greed keep us from this nourishing energy of love

If we can feel this spiritually

There is no fear or anguish

Only pure love and joy

With Aloha,

Johnny

The Awakening of the Buddha

The awakening of the Buddha was that he saw Buddha nature in everything

In Buddhist philosophy, Buddha-nature is the potential for all sentient beings to become a Buddha or the fact that all beings already have a pure buddha-essence within.

So the Buddha awakened to the ultimate reality of the universe

That every being is born with and has Buddha nature

Even if they are deeply lost in fear, greed, and hatred

Even if someone is violent

Even criminals, beggars, and addicts

All have the essence of Buddha nature

All are holy and are in the image of God

With this awakening we can help heal this world of much suffering

We can see every being as holy and our brother or sister

We can vow to reduce their suffering and look at them through the lens of compassion

With aloha,

Johnny

Legacy

My life is impermanent

Knowing this, I vow to live deeply each day

Love unconditionally

Have deep compassion for all, even those who harm others

Forgive anyone who has harmed me

Including myself

Let this be my legacy

My legacy will not have dollar signs or job titles

My legacy is not purely words

But my actions

With Aloha,

Johnny

Instrument of Love

God of my understanding

Use me as your instrument of love

Where there is violence

May I practice peace

Where there is apathy

Compassion

Where there is doubt

Faith

Thank you for the gift of life

To show gratitude

I will practice compassion, love, forgiveness and grace to the best of my abilities

With aloha,

Johnny