Tag: Zen

The Creature of the Dark Forest.

One breath at a time

One step at a time

I ascend up a steep mountain

A forest so lush it blocks the sun

As I reach the summit

A sudden storm appears above

Rain & wind torment me to no end

I start to run as fast as I can

Anything to escape this dangerous storm

A dark creature appears from the darkest depths of the forest

What do you want? I shout

It doesn’t answer me

I begin to move towards the creature

Fear filling every ounce of my soul

The creature runs away as I chase it

I hear its painful screams echoing within the forest

I finally catch this creature

What…. I can’t believe what I’m seeing

The creature is the darkest part of me

He was banished to the depths of the darkest forests

Suppressed, ridiculed, & beaten the creature laid wounded on the ground

Sobbing uncontrollably

I extend my arm to him

Picking up the creature I was astonished by how frail & weak it had become from my neglect

Yet so powerful to cause such powerful storms

I carried the creature back to my home, letting him rest and repair from all of the abuse

Thank you, said the creature as it gained consciousness once more

Anytime, I replied.

I’m so sorry that I banished you to the dark forest

You are part of me & always will be

I promise to shed light into the darkest part of the forest

Horizon.

As I stare off into the horizon

I reflect on my life

The man I have become

In 29 years, I have come so far

Yet old unskillful habits persist

Holding me back from living the life I truly want to live

My breathe brings me back into this moment

In this moment I can change my life

I can begin the process of letting go of what’s holding me back

So I can acquire the life I want to live

Suffering.

Suffering lives within all of us

Past mistakes on rerun

Future uncertainties constantly dance within our minds,

Making us suffering in this moment

How do we break from this cycle?

We can understand our own suffering

We can develop compassion and self love

As we develop compassion for ourself,

We can begin to transform our suffering into joy

Our life can now be spent helping others suffering less

Bringing joy & peace for those in need

Purpose.

What is our purpose?

Money?

Fame?

Is our only purpose in life to consume & buy stuff?

I believe our purpose on this planet is much more than what’s listed above.

We are here,

To inspire.

To create.

To help others.

To protect the innocent.

We are much more than our career, bank account, awards, and trinkets.

Thank You!!!

Thank you farmers for growing my vegetables.

Thank you farm workers for bearing the withering sun.

Thank you food packers and factory workers.

Thank you truck drivers.

Thank you grocery store clerk’s.

Thank you police officers.

Thank you fireman.

Thank you soldiers.

Thank you to dish washers, cleaners, bussers, servers, cashier’s, office workers, engineers, doctors, lawyers, laborers, salesman, and stockers.

I’m grateful for your hard work. 🙏🏼

Moving Forward on the Path Unknown.

Keep moving forward.

On the path unknown.

Life is beautiful.

Life is short.

Our lives are more precious than any diamond or jewel.

Let go of the past.

It weighs done this present moment.

Crushing joy & love.

Don’t fear what’s next.

Anxiety ruins this precious moment.

Have faith.

Trust the uncertainty of the path unknown.

Saving Our Planet.

Why are we here?

What is our purpose?

To mindlessly consume?

To suffer & cause suffering?

Humanity has hit a turning point.

We can not mindlessly consume much longer.

Our path must change.

To a more mindful one.

To uplift and inspire change.

To help alleviate the suffering of all sentient beings.

To save our precious planet from mindless consumerism & ego.

To be the change,

We seek in the universe.

Nature Within.

I woke today seeing the world differently than before.

As I walked through the forest,

I saw my own lungs within the trees.

My heart within the sun above me.

My mind found within a cold waters stream.

For without the trees,

I have no air.

Without the sun,

I have no heart.

No mind,

without clean water.

Peace Starts With Me.

Violence on my TV.

Hatred in the YouTube comments.

Fear of the great unknown.

This is the suffering of humanity.

So how can I help alleviate this suffering?

By inquiring within.

Within my violence & hatred.

Within my fear.

By showing compassion to darkness in my soul.

Peace will only be known if we become it.

Expectations=Planned Failures.

I accept that I am flawed and not perfect… So why do I expect the world around me to be perfect?

I see myself and many others suffer from setting high expectations for the world around them. Expectations are planned failures. We expect ever traffic light will be green and every day for the sun to shine. Everyday at work has to run 100% smoothly. We expect the barista to be friendly and helpful. What if we could let go of our high expectations and just enjoy life in the now? We can focus our own energy on improving ourselves and the world around us instead of criticizing others. Sounds like paradise compared to everyday struggle of constantly being disappointed when our expectations aren’t met by our family, friends, and coworkers. We can raise the standards of what we can control(diet, friends, habits, perception) and let go of the expectations of perfection in the world around us.

Another beautiful side effect from this change in perception is that when things do go smoothly it’s so much more enjoyable than ever before. There’s much less complaining, victimization, and mindless gossip when we let go of our high expectations.

There’s no right or wrong way of living our life. But we can suffer much less by being mindful and open minded. We can’t change others into what we want them to be. We can only change our mind set towards others.

With Aloha,

Johnny Hoffman