The Destroyer, Painting and Poetry by Mike Stiler

Hello, everybody.
This poem and painting are by Mike Stiler, who’s been a friend of this Teaching for about a decade.
He’s a very successful artist and a Zen teacher. He lives in California.
Here’s a link to some of his art in a California galley
Here’s a link to some of his other works on Awakening Clarity Now.

The Destroyer

Cracking an egg on the edge of a pan,

buttering toast and pouring coffee.

In these small events,

I take good cheer and overcome the world.

Truly, I am this morning, a nobody!

No longer in the world 

and yet, a destroyer of worlds. 

I am the destroyer of time. 

Do you want to know my secret power? 

Not knowing.

-Ojai  11/10/23