Pointer

By being with,
we can experience
what would otherwise be too subtle
or vast to notice,
like a fish
that is unaware of the ocean
in which it swims.

If we keep ourselves busy with constant action,
we may be too preoccupied
to realise
that we are not alone,
have never been alone,
and never will be alone.

Throughout history,
people have come up with different names and forms,
labels and pointers,
to try to share experiences with each other
and to find shortcuts.

A pointer is just a shortcut:
you can say the word,
and everyone knows where, how or what to look for,
listen to
or experience.

Shortcuts are useful.

Unfortunately,
they eventually become mundane
and lose their effectiveness.

It’s almost as if they become detached from their function:
instead of helping us to see where the finger points to,
we keep looking at the finger—
or, even worse,
we keep repeating the word “finger, finger.”

It may seem that we need a new word,
but it's actually just a tool,
a way—skilful means—
to help us be with.