To all of you who have made it through
Nine whole days of mental stew.
I hope that it’s been worthwhile
And you leave with a beaming smile
Rising for precepts at 8 AM
Calm abiding meditation till ten
And just when your head starts to spin
Its back to the cushion for an hour of Lam Rim!
Those rumbling bellies and drooping spine
Somehow hold out until lunchtime.
Now is the moment to stuff your face.
Have a second helping just in case.
Tired from being over fed
Personal practice is done in bed!
Dharma books fall to our lap,
Everyone takes an afternoon nap
ZZZzzzzzzzz!
Having avoided stealing and telling lies
There’s still a need to purify
But the real reason we prostrate
Is simply to keep us awake!
Again we must sit still and look
Beyond the cover of your own book.
With the breath as a steady guide
Deeper into stillness then you glide.
Once more it’s time to analyse
The illusion of your own disguise,
And finally to dedicate
All the merits that you create.
So much has been achieved each day,
Benefiting all sentient beings in countless ways
Give yourself a round of applause,
Rejoice that there are no more chores.
From me to you I’d like to say
It’s been a pleasure having you stay.
And if you've not gone completely insane,
Please come back next year and do it all again!
Written by Chloe Griffiths In 1998
Looking back on the very first Jamyang Annual Summer Retreat with Geshe Tashi
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