Pick up a stone and hold it in a clenched fist;
There are 2 ways to let it go;
You can turn your fist palm down and let it go so it drops to the ground;
Or you can turn your fist palm upwards and unclench letting it rest in the palm of your hand.

People that have been hurt emotionally,
Sometimes say they are going to be Buddhist;
And practice ‘non-attachment’ so they don’t get hurt again;
This is not the Buddhist approach;
In fact this is aversion and will bring the same pain as desire.

To develop an intelligent heart, you unclench yet embrace;
Engage fully with the wisdom that you cannot own or possess;
Enjoy and love but be able to let it go;
All things will pass and return to the source;
That is the ‘way’ of the universe.

Non attachment is the wisdom of impermanence;
Everything is on fire, enjoy the heat and beauty;
Then let it turn to ash.
To hold on to fire is suffering and will help no-one;
Soon enough you too will be ash.

If it didn’t burn, if were not fragile;
There would be no beauty, no movement, no time;
No youth, no ageing, no learning, no experience;
No point in having life.

Happiness and suffering create each other;
All things will pass,
To understand this is wisdom;
And allows you to love and engage freely;
Then you do not have to try and clench on the stone – or throw it away.

By Steve Rowe