To the bridge of love,
old stone between tall cliffs
— eternal meeting place, red evening —,
I come with my heart.
Juan Ramón Jiménez
Translated by James Wright
The rocks were still there. I was excited to see them again. The winter storms have erased so many familiar landmarks – old trees had fallen, hillsides slid away and shorelines were reshaped. I had imagined the possibility of these giant rocks breaking apart with the intense force of the stormy ocean waves. Yet, there they were: quiet giants standing at the far end of the beach.
My first time seeing these magnificent beings (yes, I consider rocks as living beings) was decades ago when I was visiting a friend who lived in a town nearby. Little did I know then that I would eventually be living only a half hour away and could visit them regularly. So, my excitement in seeing them was a visceral delight that I remember having when I would visit one of my grandmothers.
One grandmother in particular – my mother’s mother – was rock solid. She felt sturdy with her corseted body and predictable mannerisms and routines. Looking back, I realize her steady consistency instilled within me a deep sense of love and being loved. It wasn’t the movie version of love, but a lovingness that showed up in her endless creativity and artistry in everyday living. She could make beautiful things from scratch – pancakes, banana bread, jam, quilts, dollies, tablecloths, clothing and the flower garden she grew from seeds and cuttings.
Her reliable presence became an enduring touchstone of a love that feels like an inner rock, continually offering a sense of deep belonging. I’ve been gifted with a life with few major disturbances – e.g., unexpected deaths of loved ones and moves – and one where this inner pillar has remained peacefully steady. It has offered the ability for me to allow a growing appreciation that such love is life’s tether, between generations and all of life. It allows me to feel this love within the rocks – knowing that as they erode, the resulting pebbles will continue to hold the love.
Practice
This practice supports gratitude for help you have received in life.
Prepare—
- Begin seated.
- Gently shrug your shoulders up and down a few times.
- Open your mouth wide and yawn, or try to yawn.
- Shake through your wrists. Open and squeeze your fingers.
Practice—
- If comfortable, close your eyes. Otherwise, keep your eyes slightly open, with a soft gaze.
- Allow your hands to rest comfortably in your lap.
- Bring to mind someone who has helped you in your life. This might be someone who genuinely wanted the very best for you.
- Allow yourself to wholeheartedly think of that person. If your mind wavers, gently bring your thoughts back to thinking about that person.
- Imagine every cell in your body thinking of that person who truly loved and helped you.
- Take 3-to-4 smooth, even breaths.
- Then, silently utter “thank you” a few times, from the depths of sincerity.
Transition Back into Your Day—
- Sit quietly, for as long as you feel comfortable.
- When you are ready, return to your day.
This poem is from Mala of Love: 108 Luminous Poems, page 50, by Ravi Nathwani and Kate Vogt (editors), published by New World Library. The practice is an excerpt from my book Our Inherited Wisdom: 54 Inspirations from Nature and Poetry, pages 287-288. H E A R T H is posted each new and full moon on katevogt.com. KateVogt©2024.
