What Would (Your Venerable Teacher's Name Here) Do?

Lisa wrote this poem for me. It includes all of our favorite spiritual teachers with things they preach, and the last three names are her, and then two mutual friends. Chris is a great guy from my writer's group; Adam is one of my craziest, but closest friends.

What Would (Your Venerable Teacher's Name Here) Do?

The greatest minds on earth

have planted

the seeds of wisdom in your heart.

When trouble comes,

ask yourself,

"What would Annie Dilliard do?"

Look. See.

"What would Buddha do?"

Be present in the moment.

"What would Rumi do?"

Dance the Universal Love.

"What would Thich Nhat Hahn do?"

breathe in, calm

breathe out, smile

"What would Natalie Goldberg do?"

Keep the hand moving.

"What would Anne Lamott do?"

Find beauty, pain, lessons and questions in the struggle.

"What would Julia Sweeney do?"

Let God go.

"What would Karen Armstrong do?"

Be nourished by good teachings from many traditions.

"What would Elizabeth Gilbert do?"

Eat.

Pray.

Love.

"What would Jesus do?"

Feed the poor.

"What would Chris Matthias do?"

Gather with friends. Play. 

Go on a vision quest. Sweat.

"What would Adam Deline do?

Sing and dance. Barefoot.

"What would lisa eddy do?"

Transform through ceremony.

The seeds of wisdom are in your heart.

When trouble comes, ask,

What would my venerable teachers do?

Then do it.