I confess to deep feeling. The Hindus make a yoga, a wisdom practice out of devotion. It is called Bhakti Yoga and is a true Path. It is among the deep needs of our destiny not only to find a true Path but as well to find the style of our journey. This is like choosing keyboards over guitar (a personal version) or like choosing poetry over deep painting. The Path in this way makes a difference. Devotion as a Path is much like the deepest commitments to a child, to a life partner, to finding a “soul mate”. Shanti, shanti, shantihi (peace, peace, most merciful peace). Bhakti yoga is not everyone’s Path. Thankfully, there are other yogas.
Half A World
All so far away,
might as well be galaxies,
at least half a world
to you from where I
sit trying to gather in
the essence of you,
of your passage through
days and days.
I look at what
you have left behind
for me and from it
claim I'd know you anywhere,
if you called my name.
June 27, 2009 8:43 AM
Wonderful poem.
ReplyDeleteAnthony, thanks for saying so.
ReplyDeleteIt is a wonderful poem.
ReplyDeleteI laugh. Last night before bed my head was soft and I was somewhat fighting my path. My path/instrument is sporadic and crude, I'm afraid. I know it's kinda ugly. I didn't choose it, it chose me. (am i spelling correctly? my god, symphoney yesterday. i shouldn't come so tired.) i come back somehow (I apologize, i am just awake and fuddled) to this quote from Gerard Manley Hopkins that ds pointed me to: "What I do is me: for that I came." It is perhaps egocentric but honest. To me it speaks to the necessity of being honest in my path, carrying the correct instrument regardless of the crudity, and absorbing as much as I can along the way.
(yes, i am very lucky. my man appreciates the whole of me, a true deep appreciation that i must admit, i need. and i return it. this is the stuff of love i wish for you.:)
xo
erin
Erin, I love you just the way you are. I stand beside your man, remembering it is beautiful Erin that can speak of being so crude and ugly. I know I am not alone. You have so many in your gallery who watch and cheer you on.
ReplyDeleteWe all fall short, of course. That is why the ordinary path is longer and may require aeons of return again and again to the arena. That is why tempering is the spiritual process that ascends in importance over some form of education. That is why mercy is more important than justice. That is why there is need of a shortcut if it can be found. That is why every mainstream religion on the planet offers its special disciplined (monastic) form of Paths to Spirit, to shorten the journey of the fallen ones, to allow a homecoming perhaps even within this lifetime, if one is Received in mercy and assisted along the way.
Golly, golly, golly. This was just *sniff* beautiful.
ReplyDeleteso very lovely....
ReplyDeleteI'm painting the roses red. :D
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kindness.
Annie, Cherie, I love you both.