1.
Suffering hardens the heart.
Pain creates an ache inside
and outside that hardens
the walls that let our hearts
be open.

2.
My own heart has encountered
great suffering.  Pain entered
into my heart and the hardened
walls kept it trapped inside.
It took a great deal of suffering
for me to surrender and
let my heart embrace everything.

3.
A tender heart accepts pain
and joy with gratitude.  
It stays open through
the good times and the bad.
My spiritual muscle
expands and contracts
with the rhythm of my
heart.