How To Find Beauty

I recently reflected on and described myself as having a 'practice of beauty'. Further to that, I began planning to share a short guided meditation but it seems I accidentally wrote a poem instead. Of course, you could use it as a meditation, just like any poem, really. I still plan to record and share a short guided meditation on beauty, but I haven't done it yet.

​Here's the poem in the meantime...

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​How To Find Beauty

​If you would seek beauty,
First, you must
If at all possible
Take yourself to a place
Where you can see
The natural world
Unfolding.
A park would do,
At a push.
A woodland
Maybe better.
Or if you are in a city street
Simply become aware of weeds.
A crack in any pavement,
Often lets life try.
Then, become embodied
(As much as you can)
Noticing the rise and fall
Of breath.
The rhythm of your steps,
Perhaps.
Sensations in your feet.
Or maybe just inhabit
For a time
The point at which
Your edges
Feel less true.
Open your eyes.
(the inner ones will do.)
And see what you can see
Even with your eyelids folded.
A flush of colour.
A play of light.
Fresh, new growth
Or a sparkle drop of rain.
The way a sun beam
Kisses you with warmth
And asks for nothing back.
Whatever it is,
Let it flood through you,
Wash you away
And forget everything
That is not beautiful.
This is how to seek for beauty.

But
When a passing car,
Unpleasant noise,
Unwelcome thought
Or rotten smell
Threatens to pillage
All that you have built
In your experience;
Rejoice.
It is really there you find her.
The spirit of beauty.
In taking her leave,
Oft betrays her presence.
Now you must
Attend to your grief
As if it were your only child.
And know you know
She still resides in you.