When you can see the distance
Without looking afar
When you can feel the distance
Without your eyes kept ajar
When you can smile
With the innocence of a child
When you can empathise
Without really having to try
When you can be detached
From all your worldly gains
When you can be attached
To your values, despite pains
When you can meditate
Despite all the surrounding noise
When in the face of adversity
You do not lose your poise
When you have the strength
To face the bitter truth
When you can wait patiently
And not jump the queue
When you can look upon friends
As true compatriots in this journey
When you do not wish ill
On even your staunchest enemy
When you can appreciate an opinion
Not in congruence with your own
When in the face of a terrible loss
You do not despair and mourn
That is the time life shall change
And begin to have the power of healing
Develop some worthwhile substance
And impart to it a brand new meaning
Subir Chakraborty
22nd August 2021
poetryforthesoul2018.com 
You have distilled the essence of Zen Buddhism in this poem Subir. I do not know if you have studied Zen. I have tried to understand it for many years, but mostly through books written in, or translated into, English. Two of the better ones are The Way of Zen by Alan Watts and Zen Flesh Zen Bones by Paul Reps. Both are worth reading.
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Subir,free flowing thoughts these !And pretty deep !
Shivaji
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Profound and Beautiful prose! On the same subject I just uploaded my latest blog article – Feel free to check it out https://authorjoannereed.net/metamorphosis-how-does-one-become-a-butterfly/
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Thanks. I checked out your article. Very well conceptualised and worded!!
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Thanks for stopping by and for your kind words of appreciation!
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