When I studied as an enlightened monk, my words were always far behind my need.

When I rushed forth as a valiant hero, my sword bloodied all those closest to me.

When I built like an enterprising king, my contracts enslaved the backs of others.

When I became a divine lifegiver, another's soul I consumed sustaining my creation.

When I spoke as a clever priest, I confused others in the mania of my bright word.

When I felt myself a miracle healer, only sickness could my caring hands impart.

When I saw myself as being all things, I took the expression off the face of others.

When I served selflessly, I ended up sacrificing myself for others selfish need.

When I displayed my purest beauty, it attracted roaming beasts to imprison me.

When I spoke righteous judgements, it forced others into many noisy divisions.

When I tried taking lordly power, it aligned those most valued against my ambition.

When I tethered my mind to supreme knowledge, I only used it to control others.

When I commanded for highest cause, I beset others with hardened dependency.

And when I thought myself a cosmic alien, only strangers, never friends, did I greet.

But when I reacted using my hindsight and did not lose myself to its long worries.

When I pierced my ideals bravely but tamed the energy of perfectionistic rage.

When I built grand monuments as a means to free all of our body’s daily need.

When I gave as much as I was taking to allow space for others to freely create.

When I engaged with stories being shared, not only spoke what I was thinking.

When I let myself feel others sorrows, allowing them to forget their body’s pain.

When I became comfortable in my expression, giving others comfort in theirs.

When I saw myself as serving a whole and not easily dismembered and cast off.

When I displayed my sensitive artistry to break the same prisons holding others.

When I communicated empathetically why the many rifts exist between us all.

When I empowered others with my gifting's to grow, protect and renew life’s way.

When I learned enough to see that deepest knowledge is in genuine connection.

When I acknowledged the different minds life creates, to let them walk their way.

And when I saw myself as simply human, I saw myself in others wherever I'd go.