THE DAWN
Listen to nature waking up to greet the newborn day ...
Notice the blending of silence and song in Nature :
how varied are creation's songs,
how deep its silence!
None of Nature's sounds
disturb the Eternal Silence
that enfolds the Universe.
If you listen to those sounds
you will someday hear the Silence.
What sentiment do you think Creation is expressing
as it wakes up,
as it replaces with activity
the quiet of the night?
Listen to your heart now.
There is a song there too,
for you are a part of Nature.
If you have never heard the song,
you have not really listened.
Listen! What kind of song is it?
Sad ... happy ...
hopeful ... loving ...?
There is also silence in your heart.
If you become aware
of each thought, each distraction,
each fantasy and feeling,
you cannot fail to sense that silence ...
Now hear your heart's song blending
with the song of Nature all around you ...
Anthony de Mello

Exhaling deeply,
rise up and touch the mat,
keeping both your palms in line with your feet,
forehead touching your knees.