Daily Zen - Friday, August 20

Ten times a day something happens to

me like this –– some strengthening throb

of amazement –– some good sweet empathic

ping and swell. This is the first, the wildest and

wisest thing I know: that the soul exists 

and is built entirely out of attentiveness.

~ Mary Oliver

Daily Zen - Friday, February 5

When I walk out into the world, I take 

no thoughts with me. That's not easy, 

but you can learn to do it. An empty mind is

hungry, so you can look at everything longer, 

and closer. Don't hum! When you listen 

with empty ears, you hear more. 

And this is the core of the secret: 

Attention is the beginning of devotion.

~ Mary Oliver

Daily Zen - Friday, August 21

To pay attention,

this is our endless

and proper work.

~ Mary Oliver

Daily Zen - Tuesday, April 28

This is the first, wildest, and wisest

thing I know, that the soul exists and

that it is built entirely out of attentiveness.

~ Mary Oliver

Daily Zen - Tuesday, December 3

Attention is the 

beginning of devotion.

~ Mary Oliver

Daily Zen - Thursday, January 17

You must not ever stop being whimsical.

And you must not, ever, give anyone 

else the responsibility for your life.

~ Mary Oliver

Daily Zen - Wednesday, April 19

It is a serious thing 

just to be alive

on this fresh morning

in the broken world.

~ Mary Oliver

Daily Zen - Thursday, March 30

If you notice anything, 

it leads you to notice more and more.

~ Mary Oliver

Weekend Zen, August 20-21

It is what I was born for ---

to look, to listen,

to lose myself

inside this world ---

to instruct myself

over and over...

~ Mary Oliver

Daily Zen - Thursday, January 28

Tell me, what is it you plan to do

with your one wild and precious life?

~ Mary Oliver

Daily Zen - Thursday, March 5

I live in the open mindedness of

not knowing enough about anything.

~ Mary Oliver

Weekend Zen, January 26-27

Tell me about despair, yours, 

and I will tell you mine.

Meanwhile the world goes on. 

                      ~ Mary Oliver

Daily Zen - Friday, October 26

Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.
                         ~ Mary Oliver