[Oe List ...] Salmon: Gone but not forgotten

[William Salmon]

Jaime!
    Ye helped us awaken to the inner chapel, lighted candles and incense, and massaged us into an awarness that we already are living in the spiritual oasis named RS-I. Unfortunately, we continue to think it is the desert. 
    Now dwell in cool water while sipping the eternal drink of humane existence.Thanks for your guidance. 
    Inner Peace, 
    Bill and Beverly Salmon
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jaime R Vergara 
  To: oe at lists.wedgeblade.net 
  Sent: Sunday, August 25, 2013 6:42 AM
  Subject: [Oe List ...] Fwd: August 27 from Jaime





  j'aime la vie 


  Yesterday, appreciate; tomorrow, anticipate; today, participate. In all, Celebrate!



  -----Original Message-----
  From: Jaime Vergara <pinoypanda2031 at aol.com>
  To: editor <editor at saipantribune.com>
  Sent: Sat, Aug 24, 2013 5:33 pm
  Subject: August 27


  At the center

  The poetry sings to the tune of Try to Remember, that famous Tom Jones song in the mid-60s that even got the mellow voices of Nana Mouskouri, Andy Williams, Harry Belafonte, Ed Ames, Roger Williams, the Brothers Four, the Kingston Trio, and the lively beat of Gladys Knight and the Pips on vinyl.   Jerry Orbach originally sang it on Broadway’s Fantastiks. 

  When you encounter 
  the light at the center, 
  the final dawn 
  of worlds converging. 
  When life's illumined 
  by light at the center, 
  assured by wisdom's 
  swift emerging. 
  When knowing's ended 
  in light at the center, 
  and life's sacred meaning 
  is in you surging. 
  Then at the center, 
  in blinding encounter 
  you be it. 

  What does it mean to “be it” at the center?  

  As it is in our Oral English in China, “encounter” is our primary pedagogical mode. Now, encounter is not just saying “hello” to friends we meet, or wave at folks on encounters in the street.  Encounter has more of the quality of a forceful bump that may occasion a radical shift in consciousness, a reformulating of images, which, in science, is called a paradigm shift.

  The lyrics of our song were penned by kindred spirits in the 70s.  As we unwind into our exit out of this page, we realize that sometimes, prose will have to give way to poetry so readers can hear us sing.

  There are five directions in the Chinese language: east, west, north, south, and center.  Wu fang, the center, qualitatively different from being in the middle, Zhong in Zhongguo (country) and Zhongguoren (people), is more akin to the stillness at the center of being that is our focus this week.  It is from this position that one dares take the transcendent lucidity from the heights of Olympus, to the immanent intensity of the depth and profound core of being on this earth.  It is the courage to care at the center of the mystery of life itself.

  As you can tell, we wax poetic on the subject.  Now, back to our song.

  When you encounter 
  the peace at the center 
  where earthly hopes 
  are all transcended. 
  When life's unburdened 
  with peace at the center 
  where worldly cares 
  are all suspended. 
  When you're delivered 
  to peace at the center  
  for mortal foes 
  your hatred's ended. 
  Then at the center, 
  where no problems enter 
  you be it. 

  There’s a lagoon shore bench not too far from the Oleai Center where the FHB is located, and a ledge where planters are placed at Garapan Square, where I spent late afternoons or early evenings humming my song.  At the center is in the midst of ordinary existence. 

  When you encounter 
  the joy at the center, 
  your tingling deeps 
  in animation. 
  When you're possessed 
  by the joy at the center, 
  all things received 
  with affirmation. 
  When you are speechless 
  in joy at the center, 
  all moments brim 
  with wild vibration, 
  Then at the center, 
  in wonder filled rapture 
  you be it. 

  At the center, we encounter awe, we become awe-filled, and the experience is awe-some.

  When you encounter 
  the life at the center, 
  condemned to be 
  a dead man waking, 
  When you are boundless 
  with life at the center, 
  compelled to live 
  on water waltzing, 
  When you are risen 
  to life at the center, 
  a man who is ageless 
  with history walking, 
  Then at the center, 
  while dancing forever 
  you be it.

  No need to wonder.  We are not dying; we are being our encounter, and we are dancing!


  Jaime Vergara
  pinoypanda2031 at aol.com

  yesterday, appreciate; tomorrow, anticipate; today. participate. In all, celebrate!


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