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Naked we came into the world and from it we will depart naked; everything that obscures that truth is an obstacle to true humanity.
*"Poverty of Spirit." In Michael Casey (Monk of Tarrawarra). Strangers to the City: Reflections on the Beliefs and Values of the Rule of Saint Benedict.
* * *
at times, I silently say
"thank you" to
no one there
* * *
Gazing upon a tree in the backyard, as the weather is slowly shifting from a long winter to a much-anticipated spring. Limbs still without leaves, adorned with newly emerging nodes that foretell the beginnings of new life -
naked, sprightly limbs stretch out on sides this and that
disregarding the boundary of two properties -
and the tree, sky, earth... whisper, "I don't care"
So, say, "What is meant by the tree... not caring?"
* * *
humans claim a fantasy
"I own"
and by a will
upon death, the illusion passes on
that anything can be
anyone's possession
before death
remember, it will all pass away, for
"dust to dust, ashes to ashes" is true
not only of the body
we can no more
own a house, vehicle, or land...
than own the air we breathe
or the ground we walk upon -
or lungs that in breathing fan in and out
or feet that do the walking step by step
when you inhale the scent of a flower
who owns it?
when a feeling of love visits your body
who possesses it?
the fleeting smile on your face -
can you rightly say, "It's mine"?
how can anyone possess
what comes and goes?
everything we enjoy
is given
a gift
why not let go now? and live
a life marked by "Thank you" rather than "This is mine"
and enjoy more by releasing the claim to all
thought a belonging owned by "i"
for not even God can own a parcel of land
or possess a single blade of grass
and the dewdrop glistening on its delicate, green brow
* * *
The spiritually-minded comprehend this - we can legally own rights to something, but we do not own it. This posture aids their practice of poverty of spirit - a nonpossession of things seen and unseen, outside and inside, mental and material - and, yes, of what one considers religious or spiritual.
Clinging to, "This is mine, not yours," is a root of suffering. The antidote is surrender of such ownership, which is only a thought. Yet, such errant thought can control our lives and divide us, making friends into enemies, kin into foes, and nations into adversaries at war.
Understanding no-ownership, we see ourselves as caretakers of what is given. And whatever we enjoy has been given to us. And what has been given is for all, not us alone. No-ownership is linked with generosity.
Each particular arises as a subject from everything. For each particular is a subject among subjects.
All we are blessed with is a blessing. To whom do we give thanks? I suggest we can simply say, "Thank you" or "Thanks." We may or may not regard our gratitude as having a specific destination. And how we treat something, including what we use in our daily lives - clothes, food, kitchen utensils, vehicle - can be an unspoken articulation of thanks.
By expressing gratefulness, we grow in gratefulness. And growing in gratefulness, gratefulness arises spontaneously, and we grow from giving thanks to embodying thanks, which means a spirit of appreciation.
* * *
(C) brian k. wilcox, 2026
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