A big thanks to trainer Trudy Johnston and all of the participants that made our first 4 days training into such a special event. We promise that Trudy will come back to us, and that there will be more of the longer trainings/workshops in the future. During this training, Trudy shared this beautiful poem with us, and we want to share it with all of you too❤️
TWO MONKEYS SLEEPING
Tenderness does not choose its own uses, It goes out to everything equally. -Jane Hirshfield
We wandered into a corner of the Central Park Zoo, and there, despite the dozens of tourists pointing and tapping the glass, two monkeys were squatting on a perch of stone. To our surprise, they were both in deep sleep, their dark heads bowed to each other, their small frames limp.
What was amazing was that their small delicate hands were touching, their monkey fingers leaning into each other. It was clear that it was this small sustained touch that allowed them sleep. As long as they were touching, they could let go.
I envied their trust and simplicity. There was none of the human pretense at independence. They clearly needed each other to experience peace. One stirred but didn't wake, and the other, in sleep, kept their fingers touching. How deeply rewarding the life of touch. Each drifting inwardly, dreaming whatever monkeys dream.
They looked like ancient travelers praying inside a place of rest made possible because they dared to stay connected. It was one of the most tender and humbling moments I have ever seen. Two aging monkeys weaving their fingertips, as if their touch alone kept them from oblivion.
(from Mark Nepo – The Book of Awakening)
