Giving and Receiving - Part 1

Here's a powerful question
that transformed
my life
ever since
it began
asking itself
inside me

Would you like
to be
on the receiving end
of what you give?

Not a new question
but still radical
always relevant
and profoundly revealing

Too simple for you?
look again
perhaps you might
tap its potential
this time

Would you like
to be
on the receiving end
of what you give?

Would you like
to be
on the receiving end
of how you give
how much you give
when you give
why you give
and to whom you give?

This question inside
has been relentless
not permitting me
to rest on
a single rosy instance
when my answer
might be yes

For it is not interested
in yes
It is more concerned
with no
when the truth is no
even if
we find one no
for a hundred yesses

When this question
falls on fertile ground
it is seen to be
completely non-judgmental
driven by love
love of truth and freedom

For we are never
more empowered
or empowering
than when we are
in truth

So thanks to a courage
from grace beyond
when we can be honest enough
to come upon that no
and explore it
without fear
and with curiosity
the question opens us
to depths
unimaginable

What we see
with eyes thus opened
humbles us
and brings us to our knees

And yet the question
may stay
and keep asking itself
till mind opens
and heart explodes
and time and space
collapse
so that giving
is not other than receiving
and giver
is not other than receiver

And still the question
may stay
as a loving reminder
of our truth
transforming us
inside and out
one instance at a time.