There’s a Song in My Heart
Sister Chân Từ Nghiêm
Everything is frozen
and the garden is still.
Only dogs bark.
But the sun has risen,
and the curtain
of cold clouds
holds back her light.
Be patient, my friend.
Her warmth will
melt the cold arms of winter.
Everything is frozen
and the garden is still.
There’s a song in my heart
For them who will listen
To the stars’ lullaby
Streaming down
from the heavens:
The Boat continues
in the waters of life.
People get on and get off,
and the Boat continues
in the waters of life.
Waves crash and slam,
yet the Boat continues
in the waters of life.
Multitudes are smiling as
the Boat continues
in the waters of life.
One morning it was -5 degrees Celsius and I saw that the garden was frozen overnight. Everything was very still in the freezing air. But I know that the sun always rises and warms up the air later on. I was reflecting on the Sangha, and how Thay taught us that the Sangha is our Boat, always carrying us, and supporting us as we are engaged here and in the world with our practice, and with the Fourteen Mindfulness Trainings.
The Sangha is the boat always continuing to move forward. Over many centuries people have come and gone, but the practice of the teachings has continued even in world situations of war, hatred and violence. And thousands of people who have received and are practicing Thay’s teachings, and are following the Bodhisattva path, are able to smile at life, knowing we will be able to reach the other shore of transforming suffering by living the truth of interbeing with love and understanding in the present moment.