cloud dissolves–
empty sky
–Terry Chitwood
My free-form haiku illustrates the paradox that when thoughts dissolve, the mind is empty; yet, without clouds, the sky is full. The sky is both empty and full—complete. In the sky, emptiness blossoms, raining seeds of enlightenment throughout the world.
Negative Thoughts
As the lights go on in financial centers throughout the world, the markets prepare to pummel traders with negative thoughts. These thoughts descend on the wary and unsuspecting alike, forming scowls and furrowed brows, creating headaches and backaches, producing mental spasms and blurred vision. Heckling thoughts descend like piranhas, ripping through traders’ minds as trading begins . . . and as the trading day progresses.
Monitor your Mind
It’s not that bad, Terry. Monitor the subtleties of your mind and body–your thoughts and feelings—during the trading day, especially when trading size. Trading takes its toll. Few can pay it.
Zen Reduces Stress
Zen philosophy and meditation can help reduce stress. By letting negative and positive thoughts settle like dust on the ground of the mind, you can breathe freely. And by focusing on your breathing rather than thinking, you can remain grounded during trading.
Empty yet Full
Become empty and be full-filled. When your mind stops, you can relax fully into your body . . . into the earth. Experience a sense of being rather than a frantic doing. Allow time to stretch. Let a seed of enlightenment find you … touch you deeply; so that when you turn your lights on in the morning, they stay on.