When I first came across this poem, I just couldn't stop myself from reading it and re-reading it over and over again.
There is such tenderness, love and care and yet profound wisdom embedded in these seemingly simple every day words.
Each time I read it, I am reminded of my own Guru's advice to me.
I believe, this is what every Guru wishes for his or her student. Because every Guru sees the greatest potential within us all, even when we can't see it ourselves.
Many a times, I am sure my Guru wishes that I just take over the "reigns" and rule over the kingdom that is called my spiritual path, as I should.
I share this here with every one and pray that all of us may never be parted from our precious Gurus.
May we all become the "Kings" and "Queens" that we are meant to be, and fulfill every commitment that we hold with our Gurus.
Enjoy the beautiful poem and have a wonderful weekend.
In the poem entitled, "You Might Be Tired of the Seat That You Deserve" (For the Vajra Regent at Midsummer's Day), Trungpa XI counseled the new Gyaltsap on the right way to do his job -
Dearly loved comrade,
If you do not hold the seat,
Others may take it away;
If you do not sit on a rock,
It becomes mushy clay;
If you don't have patience to sit on a rock or seat,
They give you away;
If you are not diligent in holding the throne,
Some opportunist will snatch it away;
If you are tired of your seat,
Some interior decorator will rearrange it;
If you don't have a throne,
You cannot speak or proclaim from it,
So the audience will dissipate;
If you don't have a government seat to sit on,
Your wisdom and command seal will be snatched by others;
If you run around, thinking that you have a seat to come back to,
It will be washed away by the turbulent river,
Like a presidential platform;
You can never proclaim your command.
Either it will be disassembled by the cockroaches
Or the frivolous multitude will take it away as souvenirs.
It may be hard to sit on the seat,
But one must endure it.
Do sit on your seat,
Whether it is hard or soft.
Once you sit on your seat,
The sitting itself becomes truly command and message,
Then, undoubtedly, multitudes of people will respect and obey it
As the vajra throne of Bodhgaya where Buddha taught.
Truth becomes exertion.
The message of hard fact proclaims itself,
So you don't have to emphasize harder truth.
Offering your seat in order to please others will not give authentic
reward
They will take the attitude that you are a pleasant seat-offerer.
So, my son, please don't move around;
Assume your seat, and sit, and be.
If you be that way, truth prevails;
Command is heard throughout the land.
So sit and hold your seat.
Then you will enjoy, because others will admire you.
This is hard to do, but easy to accomplish.
