Excerpt from Phoenix Nirvana (You Will Eventually Shine Bright) by Lan Xin
Life itself is a pilgrimage.
Karmic bonds come to temper and test you,
to rouse you to wakefulness early.
Every lesson in life
calls you to awaken:
to observe, to avoid, to amend, to release,
to cherish, to forgive, to let go.
Before you wake, life is shrouded in chaos and haze.
Once truly awake, mists lift, skies clear.
Life is a journey from slumber to awakening,
and so it is with emotion.
Everyone awakens amid emotional experiences,
yet the time varies.
Some wake in a week, some in months,
some take years, even a lifetime.
Pain is life’s way to wake you.
If mild hurt fails to rouse your soul,
greater suffering will come to call.
If still unawakened, life repeats its lessons,
until you finally wake.
Wake up. Leave toxic karmic bonds behind,
stay away from those who wound you.
They appear in your life to temper your soul.
Through pain, you learn to treasure joy;
through ill-fated bonds, you value true connection.
Forgive them with compassion. All follows its cause.
Heaven holds a better plan, and better love awaits.
Above all, learn to guard and cherish yourself.
To forgive them is to set your tormented self free.
No more self-blame, no more regret.
Let go. Release completely.
