"Compassion Persons"  [Gross and Shapiro - Tao Of Photography - Reflections -pp.81-89 - Section 3A]

I am no Taoist, have not read their texts;
In media – aware of all the rest;
But let me frame your insights differently,
For shift in view gives more for you to see.

First let me say, your point presents no prob.
Our limits filter life, designed by God
For us to love, enjoy, participate
In all its richness – whether soon or late.

Deficiency can motivate a loss –
In fear withdraw, and thus avoid the cost
From lacking what is needed to embrace
Some part of life – and feeling of disgrace.

Hold on a sec., Step back and change your view –
One body we – one part is known as you;
Like perfect hands, on ends of perfect arms
Can’t see it all – no cause for great alarm.

You’d like to think that we are all the same –
Not even close – both eye and ear are lame;
The basic unit of the human frame
Is body life – with “organs” not the same.

It’s in the West we’re hung up on ourselves –
The “self-made-man” as hero, story tells,
Is model best – that’s nonsense – software shifts –
Each play some part – each one endowed with gifts.

What you describe as “filters” in our lives,
Are “downside” uses of what now resides
Within some gift – of course it limits each,
But there’s no cure for “upside” we can teach.

Take number eight – “perceivers” that describes –
See black and white – extreme’s where they reside;
They think in slots, like sorting out the mail,
So see with speed, unlike compassion-snail.

“Compassion” types experience the whole;
They’re into “being”; seldom have a goal;
Like deepest pond, “Why run when I am here?”
No babbling brook – in Taoist thought, the Seer.

Thanks Lord for this.

navigation