|
Art Of The Slow Heart
Studying the ancient archetypes,
a chilling of the blood,
a slowing of the pulse -
a bewitching of the mind,
can it create this?
It's been done,
by meditators rare.
Can this be done by another mindset,
seeking immortality,
to slow the heart,
an art,
to lengthen the life?
Think then, what perfection we can achieve,
if the breath we can deepen,
muscles we can relax,
tensions loosen -
to loosen this muscle,
the heart,
to a slowed pace.
Some have said we have only so many heartbeats,
we can use them up fast,
or we can spread them out wide.
How might I ease the strain on myself,
by this manner?
I shall apply myself to this,
with every conscious thought.
Would I then, this 'slowed being',
seem 'undead' to those who furiously spin
their energy out in cascading cycles?
Could a myth be based on such?
To me, thus slowed, the cast offs of the spinners
be free feast, abandoned to the all?
The subtleties of such are never imagined by those
who lumber through life.
I think this is possible,
this is the grace and elegance with which I could
slip through life,
a creature of ease,
made light by ease.
Oh, it does please.
Thus the archetype, old and untrue,
reforms in patterns new.
The slowed being renews himself each day,
in workings each minute,
consciousness ever turned to the deep breath
and relaxation of muscles,
slowing of pulse.
We can do this,
if we put our mind to it.
Many yogis,
sitting crosslegged, do,
and never imagine the feast.
Would I have a colder touch,
a steelier eye,
for this daily practice?
I imagine it is in my hand.
Still with such warm passions
that chill be not hard to bear.
I think I will try it,
test this hypothesis.
JAL, 8 - 24 - 03
|
