I STAYED UP LATE

I stayed up late waiting for the sun
To remove the fear and doubt.
All these worldly concerns pressing in,
Unfriendly, at best.
I hoped.
Closed my eyes.
And dreamt.
I awoke in the dark in the void of a new day
Not sure who I was
Made my tea and waited for the light.
Reading what was written long ago,
“There is no spiritual progress without a moral basis”
Learning to behave the right way is everything,
Practice is essential.
Starting with conscious volition,
Work at sharpening your attention,
To every minute of every day,
Banish evil and unwholesome states,
Welcome good and wholesome states.
The first time you try this (and you should) you will fail.
Like anything else you use your will to do,
Think of walking or eating.
So you keep going,
Over and over again until it is a habit.
Happiness is a practice.