j'aime la vie Yesterday, appreciate; tomorrow, anticipate; today, participate. In all, Celebrate! -----Original Message----- From: Jaime Vergara <pinoypanda2031@aol.com> To: editor <editor@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 evengot the mellow voices of Nana Mouskouri, Andy Williams, Harry Belafonte, EdAmes, Roger Williams, the Brothers Four, the Kingston Trio, and the lively beatof Gladys Knight and the Pips on vinyl. Jerry Orbach originally sang it onBroadway’s Fantastiks. When youencounter the light at thecenter, the final dawn of worldsconverging. When life'sillumined by light at thecenter, assured bywisdom's swift emerging. When knowing'sended in light at thecenter, and life's sacredmeaning is in yousurging. Then at the center, in blindingencounter 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 pedagogicalmode. Now, encounter is not just saying “hello” to friends we meet, or wave at folkson encounters in the street. Encounterhas more of the quality of a forceful bump that may occasion a radical shift inconsciousness, a reformulating of images, which, in science, is called aparadigm shift. The lyrics of our song were penned by kindred spirits in the70s. As we unwind into our exit out ofthis page, we realize that sometimes, prose will have to give way to poetry soreaders 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 themiddle, Zhong in Zhongguo (country) and Zhongguoren(people), is more akin to the stillness at the center of being that is ourfocus this week. It is from thisposition that one dares take the transcendent lucidity from the heights ofOlympus, to the immanent intensity of the depth and profound core of being onthis earth. It is the courage to care atthe center of the mystery of life itself. As you can tell, we wax poetic on the subject. Now, back to our song. When youencounter the peace at thecenter where earthlyhopes are alltranscended. When life'sunburdened with peace at thecenter where worldlycares are allsuspended. When you'redelivered to peace at thecenter for mortal foes your hatred'sended. Then at thecenter, where no problemsenter you be it. There’s a lagoon shore bench not too far from the Oleai Center wherethe 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 ordinaryexistence. When youencounter the joy at thecenter, your tinglingdeeps in animation. When you'repossessed by the joy at thecenter, all thingsreceived withaffirmation. When you arespeechless in joy at thecenter, all moments brim with wildvibration, Then at thecenter, in wonder filledrapture you be it. At the center, we encounter awe, we become awe-filled, and theexperience is awe-some. When youencounter the life at thecenter, condemned to be a dead manwaking, When you areboundless with life at thecenter, compelled to live on waterwaltzing, When you are risen to life at thecenter, a man who isageless with historywalking, Then at thecenter, while dancingforever you be it. No need to wonder. We are notdying; we are being our encounter, and we are dancing! Jaime Vergara pinoypanda2031@aol.com yesterday, appreciate; tomorrow, anticipate; today. participate. In all, celebrate!