Ming-Dao Deng describes humanity’s journey as an endless march of souls. From where I stand there is an infinite stream of others ahead of me. From where I stand there is an infinite stream of others behind me. My position matters not. We are all on the same journey. “There is injustice in this world, yes. But there is no need to add to it.” Those behind me stand where I once stood. No pride in my position versus theirs. Only compassion for I know their seeking, their joys, and their sorrows. I know their place all too well. Those ahead of me do not stir envy nor do they dishearten me. They are my teachers. They gift me the same compassion knowing my seeking, my joys, and my sorrows. We are in truth and in truth walking the same path.

Focusing on position can distract from the truth. The scrich’s title is “Seeking Light.” Beneath the tall forest trees not much light reaches the earth. From that position one could read the title as meaning the writer is seeking light.  Yet the beauty, the truth, and the whisper were not of my seeking light, but of Light seeking me. Through the vast entwined branches, limbs, and leaves, the light found an opening and gifted its radiance. It was seeking the earth, the sprigs of new growth, and seeking me. The Light is always seeking us. Matters not where we stand upon the path or the journey. When we see the light and meet its seeking gaze, we are, in truth, exactly where we’re suppose to be. The position of compassion seeking. The position of compassion bestowing.