Dancing With the Past

Do not gather wood unless you want to make a fire.
Do not stir the pot unless you want to smell the stew.
Do not solicit the past unless you want to dance with it.

But if there is a fire in your house,
you must pick up your things and leave.
If the stew is boiling, you can't help but smell it.
If the past is dancing in your mirror,
you can't pretend to be in samadhi.

Resistance of experience creates endless detours.
But so does seeking. Do not resist. Do not seek.
Just deal with what comes up as it happens.
- Paul Ferrini