Poetry

    Poet's Corner: verse old and new, chosen for its resonance with Zen and the Buddhist path.

    Song of Zazen

    Hakuin Ekaku (1686–1769)

    Zen's most profound insights, captured in just a few lines of poetry. Commentary by Michael Haggiag.

    Easy by Nature

    Lao Tsu

    The virtues of being like water in spiritual training. Commentary by Michael Haggiag.

    The Peach Petals

    Hanshan (9th century)

    Can there ever be beauty in pain and loss? Hanshan captures the bittersweet nature of impermanence. Commentary by Michael Haggiag.

    Chanouyu Usucha

    Maria Eckhart

    The Japanese tea ceremony as the essence of doing, without doing. Commentary by Michael Haggiag.

    The Zen of Poetry

    How to approach poetry in Zen training. An introduction by Martin Goodson.

    Nothing Gold Can Stay

    Robert Frost (1874–1963)

    An ode to impermanence: life's fleeting beauty seen through nature's seasons. Commentary by Michael Haggiag.

    Wild Geese

    Mary Oliver (1935–2019)

    This poem captures the essence of staying in the ever-present 'now'. Commentary by Michael Haggiag.

    The Guest House

    Jalaluddin Rumi (1207–1273)

    Usually we try to get rid of unpleasant experiences. Rumi suggests a radically different approach. Commentary by Michael Haggiag.

    Wind

    Phyllis Reid

    What it feels like to give 'myself' wholeheartedly into the everyday activities of life. Commentary by Martin Goodson.