There Is No Perfect Way

A poem inspired by my students and my own practice of teaching mindfulness, reflecting the shared journey and universal challenges we face.

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There is no right or wrong way,
No set goal to reach,
Nor score sheet to tick.

Time and again,
The mind will drift,
Thoughts will intrude,
Concentration flit.

To empty the mind,
Or not to empty the mind,
Or to become aware of things as they are —
Acknowledging whatever is:
“Thought” when a thought comes,
“Feeling” when a feeling floats by,
“Sensation” when a sensation arises.

So not to empty the mind,
But to become aware of what is,
Arising and passing as it is.

The mind will inevitably drift;
We acknowledge this,
As there is no perfect way to sit.
Just gently bringing attention back to the breath,
No matter if the mind drifts.