Richard Brady: "This Freedom"

This freedom—not freedom from,
from childhood habits,
from childhood fears;
not freedom to,
to open to the love enfolding me,
to know and live my truth.

This freedom—freedom with,
with habits, with fears,
with heart protected,
truth hidden deep inside.

This freedom—freedom with this moment,
just as it is.

"This Freedom" by Richard Brady. Presented here by poet submission. © Richard Brady.

Note from the poet: "I am a Dharma teacher who writes an occasional poem. I offered the following poem on receiving lamp transmission [a beautiful ceremony investing a Buddhist student with teaching authority] from Thich Nhat Hanh in 2001."

Art credit: Detail from an untitled image by an unknown photographer of Thich Nhat Hanh, great teacher of mindfulness and a mindfulness poet, during a lamp transmission ceremony.