the cost of splitting.

try as we will, we cannot be both participant and observer at the same time

without splitting ourselves.

to dwell on our next gesture or reply while a truth is being shared

splits the heart's capacity to feel.

when feeling the face of a stranger's dog

we must without distraction feel the dog's panting

in the cavern of our heart.

                                                                       

                                                                                  mark nepo, the book of awakening