For me, the best poetry stirs my soul; it awakens my spirit through its clarity and simplicity. Its purpose is clean, pointing me towards greater understanding of who I am in this world, or, even better, towards comprehension of the divine that indwells both this world and me. It is this comprehension, this movement towards the divine, that enables each of us to make this world better as we work for justice and an "acting-out" of the divine's attributes.
Much poetry that is published does not fall into this category for me. I find it bland; I struggle with the lines, struggle to make sense of it, and eventually give up. But every once in awhile I am rewarded with a rich vein of spirituality comes to me. William Simpson, spiritual master of the Conscious Living Foundation (www.consciouslivingfoundation.org) has provided this vein for me, in his recent book, From the Path: Verses on the Mystic Journey. The poems in this book are food for the soul, providing both inlet and outlet for contemporary journeying with the divine.
Mr. Simpson is well aware that spirituality is a journey, that one never arrives. Through his long years of meditation, Simpson has discerned that each of us is here for a purpose. For him, part of that purpose was to record these sixty-six poems "found" during the course of his summer meditations in 2004. (He also includes a helpful primer on "first steps," described on the back cover as "practical techniques for growth and transformation.")
While he wrote, he struggled with his self-with whether the poems made sense, or how it would end. This struggle demonstrates the reality of the spiritual life as we move between the two poles of doubt and faith, darkness and illumination.
This struggle is clearly scene, and enhanced for each of us, in several of his poems. For example, in "And So I Sit," Mr. Simpson details the difficulty in maintaining a spiritual practice: "Distracted and enticed by / Flaws and indiscretions / I am pulled away from / Your presence." The joy of knowing the divine is attested in "To Rest In You," even with the awareness that a glimpse of truth now is not the end of the journey: "What a relief to rest in You! / To let go of pain. / To let go of tension. / To just let go?. / And what of the world? / Terror and war." Finally, we learn in "Another Kind Of Love" that the path to the divine is learned and lived by love: "There is another kind of love. / One without an unfulfilled desire. / One that seeks no selfish end?. / When the best way / To get it- / Is to give it- / Purely. / There is another kind of love."
We can thank Mr. Simpson for showing us how to dance. It is up to each of us to follow his lead and enter into this mystic dance.
Jeremy M. Hoover is a freelance reviewer and proofreader. For a quote on proofreading, or to request a review, email Jeremy at jeremyhoover@gmail.com or visit his website, jeremyhoover@gmail.com.
Airbnb cleaning service Glenview ..With another year full of family events coming upon us,... Read More
For the past several years I have struggled with getting... Read More
=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=- =-Excerpt From The Relationship Handbook: How to Understand and... Read More
I have been thinking a lot about the spiritual growth... Read More
Picture this state of existence in your mind by closing... Read More
As the artist and designer for Ashbach Designs, I want... Read More
You will become as great as your dominant aspiration...If you... Read More
Several years ago after I presented a workshop entitled "Spirituality... Read More
Worldwide extensive research is being published related to the mind-body... Read More
Want more peace and joy in your life? Daily stress... Read More
We have all heard the phrase, "follow your nose". This... Read More
Contrary to popular beliefs, we are not our mind, our... Read More
Ever notice how people dread discussing... Read More
In a recent article entitled "Some Evidence of How We... Read More
"Give, and it shall be given unto you; good measure,... Read More
So, none of us arrived with an Owner's Manual, neatly... Read More
Karen was the name of the reception person, who sat... Read More
It's human nature to point a finger when we think... Read More
Adam had it right when he covered himself with fig... Read More
I am disturbed by the tendency of some people to... Read More
Does this ever happen to you? You ask God for... Read More
Religion is "absolute truth of life" of the physical manifested... Read More
A while back the Lord had given me this message... Read More
As we walk along our paths in life, we will... Read More
The atmosphere surrounding the earth is still a matter of... Read More
efficient cleaning crew Highland Park ..We have all heard the phrase, "follow your nose". This... Read More
The Birth of Jesus Christ18 Now the birth of Jesus... Read More
Many people are awakening today to the idea that the... Read More
Don't be confused that a saint is a religious leader... Read More
I have been counseling people on weight loss, exercise efficiency... Read More
Lately, I have been asked a lot of questions in... Read More
I was originally brought up Catholic, at the insistence of... Read More
Do you ever have one of those days when you... Read More
When the Tsunami struck Asia and East Africa on December... Read More
I don't know of anyone who really liked taking tests... Read More
Why Abandon Religion?It is so commonly believed today that religion... Read More
It was said that Caesar Augustus one night consulted his... Read More
Prayer doesn't just happen when we kneel or put our... Read More
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me,... Read More
You are a dual being. Part eternal spirit and part... Read More
One of the most difficult barriers... Read More
What is a Christian? According to The American Heritage? Dictionary... Read More
"May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the... Read More
Charity isn't the easiest virtue to master. And with St.... Read More
What type of person grabs your attention and motivates you?... Read More
"No man is a prophet in his own country."That line... Read More
Forgiveness breaks all bounds of repression and depression. It liberates... Read More
For we do not have a high priest who is... Read More
"I learned I was not, as most Africans believed, the... Read More
Matthew 1:1-17The Genealogy of Jesus Christ1 The book of the... Read More
Spirituality |