The washing machine sloshes with a dim, somnolent hum, but that’s not it. My heart pumps, blood also sloshes: if I close an ear, I can hear it. That’s not it either. I draw breath, try to breathe the light, breathe out the darkness: is this it? Getting closer.
Time spent in meditation is time out of mind. I don’t have to force it; if I force it, it won’t come, but if I let it come, my mind switches to a zero-state. It’s like hitting restart on the computer. Once I do this, for however long, I’m able to function much better. But this isn’t it either.
We are not simply machines. In that zero-state I tune into a different kind of consciousness: vast, beautiful, unknowable.
This golden moment
when inspiration whispers
bliss is eternal.
Written for dVerse
Tonight, Frank is hosting Haibun Monday, and has asked us to ‘write a haibun that expresses the present moment.’
I try to spend some time in meditation every day. It can be a powerful and life-changing experience. I’m still a long way off experiencing spiritual enlightenment, but I see cracks of light through the darkness of perception every now and then, so I keep practicing.
The peace which comes through meditation is also conducive to writing poetry. As Wordsworth famously stated in his preface to Lyrical Ballads (1798):
‘Poetry is the spontaneous overflow of powerful feelings: it takes its origin from emotion recollected in tranquility.’
It’s true that in the past, I had plenty of overflowing emotions, but very little tranquility. It is hard for me to write poetry without finding that peaceful reflective space.
Eloquent, Ingrid. I love haibuns in their artful way of being able to capture a wider range of thoughts and then shock in the final rumination.
Thank you Jaya, I find them quite therapeutic to write.
I have never really managed to meditate, even though the few time I have done it, it’s been very restful… maybe I should just try better. It sounds like you make the most of it.
I think maybe people try too hard. There are some good guided meditations on YouTube you can use as a starting point. I can’t get through my day without them.
i should try meditation but i live in an enviroment that always barges in and disurbs my flow. thanks for the quiet moment
That makes it more difficult, but if you can grab a quiet moment (even 10 minutes) it is worth it!
Ingrid, you describe meditation in such a perfect way, it’s an amazing state of consciousness.
It is: I don’t know how I managed so long without it!
I love the way you captured the washing machine and body sounds, something that happens at the start of meditation, before you climb the stairs to peace. I used to meditate, but these days my mind is even noisier than the washing machine! I would love to achieve that golden moment again.
I hope you manage to do it again some time!
I find the silence quickly, the moment I’m challenged to write something, prose, poetry or journal. My restart button clicks on as I immerse myself in the creative act, a form of love making for me.
Thank you for sharing this insight into your creative process. I find it very interesting to learn how other writers write!
you are a considerate and confident high-wire artist.
Thank you Nick: I like that!
Lovely, lovely
Happy Monday
Much💛love
Thanks Gillena 😊
Well, we both have the washer running today and our thoughts swirling in similar patterns. Your poem is a great reminder to give myself more golden moments of bliss.
I’m sure you deserve them 😊
Lovely haibun, Ingrid! <3 I don't have the patience for meditation, but find tranquility in nature. Hope you are doing well! 🙂
Finding tranquility in nature is a kind of meditation, I think 🙏🌸❤️
Bliss is eternal!! Yes!
Thank you Mary 🙏
Awesome work! My meditation success is coming harder these days…. I’m jealous. Salute!
Maybe you’re trying to hard? Hope you get it back. Thank you Ron.!
Beautiful haibun and I adore the haiku.
Thanks Lisa 🙏
You’re welcome.
wow; I love how your response to the prompt is a searching for a response to the prompt. Amazing and beautiful, Ingrid.
<3
David
Thanks David 😊
The slosh and hum of the washer and your beating heart is an interesting comparison and one I will be reminded of when I next hear the rhythmic slosh and spin. 💓 Continued enjoyment on your meditation path. 🧘🏻♀️✨
There’s always laundry to inspire my creative process! Thank you Michele 🙏😅
Potential poetry surrounds us! 😄
This is so beautiful, Ingrid. It’s enchanting. I really felt what you meant by “zero-state” regarding meditation. I have not meditated much, but when I have, that’s the perfect description for it. It feels like everything and nothing flowing all at once, only if I let it come and pass. I feel this piece itself is a nice guide to meditation; I should try it again and perhaps more often. 🙂
Oh you should, it’s wonderful! Thanks Lucy 😊
Great post Ingrid. I love how you can let your mind coast and take you to that place of eternal bliss! Perhaps that is what happens at the end of life as well.? Well done.
I think it probably is, once we accept and let go. A comforting thought for those who have lost loved ones. Thank you Dwight 🙏
You are welcome Ingrid!
Ingrid,
I was pulled into this wondering what you were listening for. I liked the suspense of not being sure where you were taking me. In particular the phrase, this isn’t it either. Sometimes life is more about peeling away what is not, to find what I am looking for. This process takes time whether it is meditation or something else.
I enjoyed this very much.
Wishing you a wonderful day.
Ali
You described perfectly the mood I wanted to convey. Thank you so much Ali 🙏
way to go Ingrid … has all the garbage come up yet?
It comes in waves!
I’ve never been able to meditate properly, although I suspect it must feel like falling inside ones self.I really enjoyed reading your haibun, Ingrid. It feels peaceful.
Thank you Misky!
‘This golden moment’
They’re the ones to hang onto and try to remember.
Indeed they are!
Time stops in that creative place. It’s nice but unsettling when reality shakes me awake. 😉
Who say which is the true reality? 😊
Oooo… good point!
I could not agree more … ‘time spent in meditation is time out of mind’ ~ your haibun is exquisite.
Wonderful thoughts well-written.
Thanks Andrew!
Words can never capture the feeling, but you’ve given us a glimpse. I like especiallyhow you contrast is with life’s background noise. (K)
Thank you Kerfe. I hope your unpacking is going well. I unpacked my last box today, almost four months since we moved!
I can believe it. It’s going to be a long process. I found the tape, now I’m looking for my stapler! One problem is that the dust aggravates my allergies. It happens every move.
So well done Ingrid!
💖
Thank you Cindy 🙏❤️🌺
welcome!💖💖
Thank you Ingrid, such a deep inner journey. I love meditation and find it crucial to my very being. I particularly enjoyed the last line of the prose above all.
Thank you Paul 🙏