Eternal Longing: May you be free.

May you know the eternal longing that lives at the heart of time.
                                             John O’Donohue

 This quote comes from the poem, For Belonging, by John O’Donohue and speaks deeply to my heart and soul. I shared this poem in MBSR Full day retreat today after guiding the class in a lovingkindness practice and I am sending it out the wider community to contemplate (meditate on each line) on what resonates with you. This quote comes from the poem, For Belonging, by John O’Donohue and speaks deeply to my heart and soul. I shared this poem in MBSR Full day retreat today after guiding the class in a lovingkindness practice and I am sending it out the wider community to contemplate (meditate on each line) on what resonates with you. 
If you would like, go ahead and imagine me or another loved one sending these wishes out to you as you read the poem. Read and listen to your body to sense what arises and feel free to jot a word or two about each line, or just the ones that speak to you. Do not be alarmed if some of the lines prompt negative emotions, as all emotions and reactions are messages that arise and can be held in mindful awareness. You can lean in with curiosity and nonjudgment, asking what am I believing, what is my experience around this, what am I feeling, and can I stay curious about this? For instance, the first line “May you listen to your longing to be free” can activate anger, fear, or shutting down, if you are in a situation where you lack freedom or feel trapped. This quote comes from the poem, For Belonging, by John O’Donohue and speaks deeply to my heart and soul. I shared this poem in MBSR Full day retreat today after guiding the class in a lovingkindness practice and I am sending it out the wider community to contemplate (meditate on each line) on what resonates with you. 

We all want to be FREE and this desire lives deep within us. People who are relatively FREE also have areas of constriction or restriction, simply arising from living out of conditioning and habits. Each line of this poem offers a chance to explore your reactions, your wishes, needs, and desires and allows an opportunity gain deeper self-awareness. It also offers the opportunity to extend the wishes to a loved one or all beings during Metta.

For Belonging by John O’Donohue

May you listen to your longing to be free.
May the frames of your belonging be generous enough for your dreams.
My you arise each day with a voice of blessing whispering in your heart.
May you find a harmony between your soul and your life.
May the sanctuary of your soul never become haunted.
May you know the eternal longing that lives at the heart of time.
May there be kindness in your gaze when you look within.
May you never place walls between the light and yourself.
May you allow the wild beauty of the invisible world to gather you, mind you, and embrace you in belonging.

I would love to hear about your practice, your reactions to the poem. Please share on Treehouse facebook or email me directly at [email protected].

May you be free and know that you are loved,

Patty and all the Sacred Treehouse faculty