Poem for Inspiration

From one of my spiritual teachers in the Buddhist tradition, Adyashanti.

The Innermost Table

You want me to speak of love

and so I will.

But the Love of which I can speak

costs me all my coins of illusion

and so I cannot compromise its virtues

nor quibble over its price.

This Love is Divine Nectar

a wine found only at

the innermost table.

It has seen endless days

of rain and sun and harvest.

It has been made wise and mellow

by the passing of time

and its refined taste

is uncompromising to those

who prefer their wine young

and overly sweet.

Although at times you may

appear to be swept away

by its dizzying effects

you will find that you have

the clarity of a diamond and

the reflexes of a falcon.

You will remain capable of compassion

and ruthless decisiveness alike.

In one hand

you will hold a feather

and in the other

a sword.

Drink the wine of this Love

and your life will change.

Instead of being a gatherer

of the Divine Light

you will be its shine.

It will be the end of you

and the beginning.