Divine Discontent: Every Day, An Opportunity

Enough sleep's essential
wasting time lamentable--
the joy is waking up
to the soul's purpose.


Against today's material culture
I go to bed early
having tasted the joy
of rising hours before dawn.

Alarm clock rousts me
rising up from ignorance
folding my bedding
a duty calls me downstairs.

Cool air greets my skin--
O, our wood stove is bored
while the wood is anxious
those wood bugs cry!

When the fire is blazing
I cleanse the body showering
clean clothes with tilak
waking the Deities.

Herb tea and health pills
preparing for chanting
amidst darkness, quiet
Radha Gopinatha's smile shines!

Sitting, then dozing
sometimes walking to chant,
wandering mind, then prayers
either tired or uplifted.

When will the Name's taste
overwhelm my feeble desires,
material enjoyment appearing tiny
spiritual happiness my only food?

I lament at times
my lacking spirituality--
from another view, a blessing
to have this concern!

Great wonder to be involved in
serving Krishna, even seemingly lifetimes
for perfection, the material path
keeps souls in bondage and sorrow.

Solving worldly problems
without spiritual progress
still misses the real point
that all forgetfulness is illusion.

Prabhupada taught us--
give this one life to Krishna--
stay the course in Bhakti
with determination and faith.

The goal worth striving for:
uncovering who we are
discovering the love of our life
the calling of our soul.

Life is too short
with unexpected miseries--
don't be fooled by allurements
the solid shelter: Radha Krishna.