The Hula-Hoop of Hindrance

13 Sunday Jul 2014

Posted by Worldly Winds in Buddhism, Humour, Poetry

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abusive relationships, Alex Carr-Malcolm poet, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, bad habits, Buddhism, eating disorder, freedom, habits, hindrances, humour, poetry, UK poet, Uk poetry, Yorkshire poet

I saw it in the playground,

when I was only three,

the hula-hoop of hindrance,

resting by a tree.

It was pretty, pink, and sparkly,

with unicorns and glitter,

it even had, ‘go faster’ stripes,

so I could hula quicker.

I put it ‘round my tiny waist,

and hula’d round the yard,

little did I realise,

that it would make life hard.

I learned to love my hula-hoop,

though I was only four,

when I went to bed at night,

I’d leave it by the door.

I realised when I was five

(and also at aged six)

that I had been quite naïve

my hula habit fixed

This went on – my dearest friends,

throughout my adult life,

attachment to my hula-hoop,

caused me so much strife.

When cooking in the kitchen,

and trying to eat my dinner,

my hula hoop got in the way,

and I just grew much thinner.

and when I met my boyfriend,

I’d hula-hoop for joy,

but holding hands whilst hula-ing,

well… the romance is destroyed.

When I went upon retreat,

there was no problem there;

for there were many hula hoops,

that we could swap and share!

Then, Maitripala gave a talk,

about the hula habit,

if we can see the gateway….

the freedom’s there, so grab it!!

One day I hope my hula-hoop,

will rest against that tree,

and if you choose to have a go,

it’s going, gratis, free!!

by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

Photo Credit: Photo By Fotolia/Stockshoppe

Buddha Day

17 Saturday May 2014

Posted by Worldly Winds in Buddhism

≈ 15 Comments

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Buddha Day, Buddhism

Better late than never – I’ve had no internet connection for a week or so – this is a picture of our Buddha Day celebrations from last Sunday. A great day was had by all 🙂

Prapancha Soup – A Recipe for Disaster

03 Thursday Apr 2014

Posted by Worldly Winds in Buddhism, Humour, NaPoWriMo, Poetry

≈ 22 Comments

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Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Buddhism, poetry, Prapacha Soup, Prapancha, UK poet, Uk poetry, Yorkshire poet

Take a cup of envy,

and mix it with some greed,

season it with hatred,

then add some, woe is me!

Plus one spoon of ego,

marinade in pity,

righteous indignation,

will make the mixture pretty.

Make a quick snap judgement,

blend it with assumption,

now, Prapancha Soup,

is ready for consumption!

By Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

English: Beetroot soup with vegetables and hard-boiled eggs, Sanok (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Big Buddha House

30 Saturday Nov 2013

Posted by Worldly Winds in Buddhism, Humour, Poetry

≈ 8 Comments

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Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Buddha, Buddhism, Buddhist retreat, Dharma, enlightenment, humour, meditation, poetry, UK poet, Uk poetry, Yorkshire poet

Day eight in the Big Buddha House,

and all is well.

There’s jam on my toast,

and my drink is swell;

and even the rota,

says I’m free ‘til the bell.

Sat on the cushion,

meditation’s not pushin’

my buttons today,

all is calm for a change,

Mental weather is clement,

and nothing to lament,

in the Big Buddha House today.

Prostration – not frustratin’

and the bruise on my knee,

nearly gone thankfully,

and the muscles in my tum’

no longer undone;

I can launch with abandon,

then horizontal to standin’ –

not bad for an old bird like me!

Then the talks – they inspire,

and my mind is on fire,

with ideas and with thoughts,

with a passion they course,

and my heart it does swell,

and I’m leaning as well,

Yes! These things they call ethics,

are quite deep and complex,

let’s leave it at that, just for now…

Oh – the food is sublime,

as I sit down to dine.

Delia is surpassed!

Skilful cooks make repast,

and the smells in the steam,

am I sensing Tajine,

in the Big Buddha House today?

And then there’s our dorm,

floor two, number one,

where sisters in Dharma,

sleep safe, warm, and calm;

and I have to confess

though my bed is a mess,

and my corner’s a state,

we three, are good mates,

in our cosy warm dorm –

floor two, number one.

Day eight in the Big Buddha House,

and all is well.

There’s jam on my toast,

and my drink is swell;

and even the rota,

says I’m free ‘til the bell.

by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

Raven, with her hood down, meditating. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Perfect Breakfast

30 Saturday Nov 2013

Posted by Worldly Winds in Buddhism, Humour, Poetry

≈ 19 Comments

Tags

Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Buddhism, enlightenment, habits, humour, meditation, poetry, tea, UK poet, Uk poetry, writing, Yorkshire poet

My tea is too hot,

my tea is too cold,

my tea is too sweet,

the milk is too old.

The toast is too burnt,

it’s not brown enough,

I wanted white bread,

Oh no… not the crust!

I can’t find my jam,

the banana’s got spots,

there is no fruit knife,

the apple’s got rot!

The porridge is lumpy,

I can taste tahini,

I’ve added some milk,

and now it’s too creamy!

I’ve lost my spot,

someone else is sat there,

I wanted to sit,

in my favourite chair.

I’m trapped in a corner,

I’m sat in a draft,

I’m too near the door,

Oh! All this is daft!

I should just be grateful,

that I’m here today,

living and breathing,

the middle way.

it’s ten twenty four,

we meditate in a bit,

I stand at the door,

now where shall I sit?

This cushion’s too high,

this cushion’s too low,

this cushion’s too lumpy,

and on it goes…

by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

English: I took this picture. Grilled cheese sandwich with white bread, American cheese, and tomato soup. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Change

30 Saturday Nov 2013

Posted by Worldly Winds in Buddhism, Poetry

≈ 8 Comments

Tags

Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Buddha, Buddhism, change, enlightenment, ethics, meditation, poetry, UK poet, Uk poetry, writing, Yorkshire poet

Will I be changed when I go home?

Physiologically within my anatomy,

the square root of all, as follicles fall,

and even my skin, the body I’m in,

will all have aged, showing signs of decay,

the reminders that say, time is passing away.

And what of my mind, what will I find,

when I peer inside, mental chatter subsided?

Still waters run deep, has the ethical seeped,

within my being, all knowing all seeing?

Will the sky like mind be more refined?

And what of my words, will they be kindly heard?

Will they help and caress, not causing me stress?

No longer frivolous, talking of trivial stuff,

but gentle with harmony, causin’ no harm today,

encouraging and pure, where less is more.

Will I be changed when I go? I sincerely hope so.

All these ethics abound, turned my brain upside down,

which connects to my heart, from which I can start,

more subtle and deeper, universal teacher.

I can put into practice, no delusion or malice,

all the things I have learned for which my heart yearns,

and Yes! – I am changing.

by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

Gerber Daisy With Raindrops (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The Feather Vajra

15 Sunday Sep 2013

Posted by Worldly Winds in Buddhism, Poetry

≈ 9 Comments

Tags

Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Buddha, Buddhism, enlightenment, Feather and Down, gentleness, poetry, truth, UK poet, Uk poetry, Vajra, Vajrasattva, Yorkshire poet

and in her hand she held a feather vajra,

at the core, a gentle beating heart,

around the heart, two eggshell lotus’s cupped,

intertwined like a mother’s hands.

Around a band of unicorns,

four magical, mystical, protectors,

and a vajra made of feathers.

by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

Emblem of Bhutan (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

The vajra, a distinct symbol of Vajrayana (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Stillness

24 Saturday Aug 2013

Posted by Worldly Winds in Buddhism, Nature, Poetry

≈ 17 Comments

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Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Buddhism, butterflies, contentment, enlightenment, poetry, simplicity, stillness, sun, UK poet, Uk poetry, Yorkshire poet

just as the butterfly

settles on a flower

and spreads her wings

in reverence to the sun

let our minds

still, and feast

on the nectar

of this sublime

life

by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

Der Schmetterlingsjäger (The butterfly hunter) by Carl Spitzweg (1840), a depiction from the era of butterfly collection. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Buddha Day

26 Sunday May 2013

Posted by Worldly Winds in Buddhism, Poetry

≈ 6 Comments

Tags

Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Buddha, Buddhism, enlightenment, poetry, UK poet, Wesak, Yorkshire poet

Buddha mind

Burning bright

Searing serenity

Luminous light.

Buddha eyes

Warrior’s way

Diamond depth

Gentle gaze.

Buddha nature

Human heart

Sangha sings

Compassionate.

By Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

Image

Wesak

26 Sunday May 2013

Posted by Worldly Winds | Filed under Buddhism

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Worldly Winds

~ It's not easy being me!

Category Archives: Buddhism

The Hula-Hoop of Hindrance

Buddha Day

Prapancha Soup – A Recipe for Disaster

The Big Buddha House

The Perfect Breakfast

Change

The Feather Vajra

Stillness

Buddha Day

Wesak

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