River Burial – How long the voyage seemed to me, O how I long so anxiously from the wide, foreign shore!

Meditation and Prayer

How long the voyage seemed to me, O how I long so anxiously from the wide, foreign sea desert to my dear, distant home coast. At last the longed-for land beckoned, I jumped jubilantly onto the dear beach. And the native trees greeted me like dreams of youth that were green again. Hold, and sweetly related, as never before, the song of the birds sounded to my ear.

After such a painful loss, I would have gladly torn every stone to my heart. Yes, there I found you, and - trembling to death, every joy sank at your feet, and all that remained in my heart was limitless, hopeless love. Oh, how anxious I see myself going out again into the dull roar of the tide! I would always like to wander alone on the wild seas only with your image!

River Burial with Funeral Orator - Zen Master Reding

The morning is fresh, the wind is good, the sun is glowing so brightly, and the tide is roaring. How do we walk so fast! The waves rush in. But no matter how they rear up, throwing themselves into the ship's course, foaming with great effort. The ship, full of happy wanderlust, moves on unstoppably, and the surge of the waves is powerfully split from its breast. Wreathed by a golden radiant hand from the spray of the waves, an iris ribbon comes flying after him, brightly fluttering.

As far as land my eyes wander, I see the flood stretching, the boundless. I am gripped by an impatient longing that I must avoid you for so long, mountain, meadow, foliage and blossom! A child smiles his morning greeting from the cabin. where strange the air, the sky light. In the cold noise of waves, how good is the human face with its quiet warmth! All the best on the last journey and find your peace!