I once came upon a hermit
Sitting beneath a shadeless tree
There ensued a quiet moment
Wherein he listened to my heart
And learned of its secret affairs
Or at least,
such was how it seemed

Then he spoke unto me and said

Do not worry about the hereafter
For he who finds heaven in this life
Will surely find it in the next

In my ignorance, my eyes wandered about
And the wise man exclaimed in laughter

If you are searching for the Garden
It’s best you turn your eyes inside out!

With one deep breath I dove within
Finding nothing, I came up gasping for air
The man, who was not so old,
As is assumed with the word ‘wise’,
said to me,

Tell me of a garden
Which requires no preparation
nor patience in waiting
For the season of growth to come?

Remove your rock-heart
Carved of
Arrogance, disbelief and greed

Replace it with a soil-heart
Fashioned with
Sincerity, surrender and faith
It is these that beget growth

Then the Hermit, whose voice was coarse,
Offered an invitation to me

When you are prepared
Come unto this tree
In quiet patience we will wait
For the rain and sun to descend
It will bring a beautiful growth
And teach us the meaning of Grace

For without its descending
No Garden, however well prepared
Will have cause to grow