BROKEN OPEN

Some days we fall to our knees

and pray for a new heart

that is free from the scars of this life.

*

For this ancient heart of ours

has been dragged around the wheel of time

behind the horse cart of suffering

for a few miles— or perhaps thousands!

*

There is our childhood of course—

this perfect wounding

that is passed between generations—

the pain we thought we should take on—

this pain that is not even ours.

*

Maybe there is even an existential

exhaustion we only notice

in the moments between sleep and waking—

an obsession with hand wringing

we can’t seem to turn away from.

It all seems so personal!

*

Just remember— We were warned!

Our hearts were made to break open~

It was in the contract we signed just before

we tumbled down the spirit ladder.

It was in the fine print we don’t ever read.

*

It said:

You will encounter the tumultuous winds 

of your unfathomable fears 

and the blooming 

of your own exquisite light.

*

You will feel abandoned, disappointed, betrayed.

You will be asked to forgive everything—

and most of all –your own luminous self. 

*

Your heart will break open—

and spill its mysterious treasures—

This is good news! 

Don’t try to stop it!

*

You may feel like you are on fire

with all that is awakening. 

You may feel you won’t make it 

to the other side.

*

But this is your heart—

and your heart was made 

to break open.

*

And as you pray at this altar

of your broken open heart—

you will find the handwritten note

you left yourself on the mirror

of eternity so long ago.

*

Note to Self:

You will have the chance

to be healed by Love.

Take it!