*

*

First, desire.

Long for God.

More than security,

more than peace,

certainly more than pleasure.

Intense.  Constant. Longing.

*

Second, forgiveness and gentleness.

For everyone. No exceptions.

Forgive parents, employers, neighbors.

Forgive the dog that pooed on your lawn.

Forgive yourself the cruelties, avoidances,

the unwitting mistakes.

*

Third, surrender your will.

To God. Every moment.

Each thought.  Each feeling.

Each longing or deed.

Turn over stories, then paragraphs,

then ideas and concepts.

*

Fourth, maintain focus.

Unrelenting, allow not a moment

of distraction from meditation

during ordinary activities.

Habitual, automatic, effortless

focus.

This is how to know God.