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Tag Archives: Sangharakshita

Slán Abhaile

11 Sunday Nov 2018

Posted by Worldly Winds in Buddhism, Death, Deep Stuff!, Grief, Heartbreak, Love, Poetry

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Alex Carr-Malcolm poet, Alexandra Carr-Malcolm, Bhante, poetry, Sangharakshita, Slan Abhaile, Worldly Winds poetry, Yorkshire poet

Yesterday I attended the funeral of my Buddhist teacher Urgyen Sangharakshita along with over 1200 other Buddhists. It was a beautiful, poignant, moving ceremony. I have never experienced anything as immense in my lifetime. Despite the heavy downpour of rain, the birds still sang, and the wind played in the autumn trees. By the time the procession to the burial ground took place, the sun came out and lifted the heavy skies.

I cannot adequately put into words my gratitude to Bhante. I met him twice, once at a shared meal at the Sheffield Buddhist Centre, and later in Birmingham (2011). He guided  and inspired my Buddhist practice, and encouraged me to take my writing seriously. Without his guidance and teachings I doubt I would be where I am today.

How do I say thank you, and how do I say goodbye? I started to write this poem on the way down to the funeral and finished it on the way back. This poem relates to the loss of significant people in my life – Safe Home Bhante Urgyen Sangharaksita, go well.

20181110_155143~2

Slán Abhaile

 

How do I say goodbye?

When I am living at the speed of life,

the eggshells I am walking on

pricking at my soul.

Remote and inaccessible,

with drawbridge raised to love,

how do I say goodbye?

The Trinity and Trilogy

conjoined in parse asymmetry,

seem so insignificant.

 

How do I say goodbye?

 

Slán Abhaile by Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

10.11.18

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1st Class!!!

30 Saturday Jun 2012

Posted by Worldly Winds in Buddhism, Deep Stuff!, Humour, Poetry

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Buddha, Buddhism, Dharma, enlightenment, poetry, quest, Sangharakshita, Worldly Winds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’ve bought my ticket,

I’m going 1st Class!

Setting out on this quest,

on this lives long path.

 

My past is a story,

an interesting read,

but I’m leaving my baggage,

of which I don’t need.

 

I look through the window,

recognise all I see,

the Buddha land scenery,

familiar to me.

 

The weather is clement,

worldly winds have calmed,

the passengers valiant,

Dharma Sister’s at alms.

 

I’m enjoying the journey,

no rush to get there;

with guide book in hand,

and the wind in my hair!

 

We stop at the station,

other travellers alight,

we’re sharing this vision,

Enlightenment in sight.

 

©1st Class!! 2012

By Alexandra Carr-Malcolm

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Alexandra Carr-Malcolm Writer

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