The 'little black book' was begun as a teenager because... well... that's what teenagers do.The ones who are inclined to writing and introspection, certainly. As mentioned at the beginning of this little series, there are some clear themes which, it turns out, have threaded throughout life and were not mere passing fancies.
Spirit is one of those. Even at the time of teaching Sunday school, some very big questions were rumbling around inside. Something deep within urged the seeker to look beyond the mere words on the page. Words, language, in the end completely fails us when it comes to the realm of spirit.
Doesn't stop the words from coming! This poem was prompted from experiencing being questioned by an atheist and by an agnostic; at the time all one could do was trust the 'knowing' inside - in a hard world, though, that can leave one adrift.
That this poem heralds Advaitic understanding so many years before one had even heard of Vedanta or considered the possibility that there is a single, unifying, spiritual philosophy which would make itself known to this little 'aatmaavrajanam' - roaming soul. One that everybody can experience no matter how they choose to worship (or not), neither to which philosophical pole they attach their flag. The study of Advaita has permitted a re-reading of the gospels with a fresh and enlightened eye and it is joyous indeed.. to have the Upanishads on one end of the rainbow of YAM and Yeshu's teachings on the other is to have two pots of gold indeed.
Spirit is one of those. Even at the time of teaching Sunday school, some very big questions were rumbling around inside. Something deep within urged the seeker to look beyond the mere words on the page. Words, language, in the end completely fails us when it comes to the realm of spirit.
Doesn't stop the words from coming! This poem was prompted from experiencing being questioned by an atheist and by an agnostic; at the time all one could do was trust the 'knowing' inside - in a hard world, though, that can leave one adrift.
That this poem heralds Advaitic understanding so many years before one had even heard of Vedanta or considered the possibility that there is a single, unifying, spiritual philosophy which would make itself known to this little 'aatmaavrajanam' - roaming soul. One that everybody can experience no matter how they choose to worship (or not), neither to which philosophical pole they attach their flag. The study of Advaita has permitted a re-reading of the gospels with a fresh and enlightened eye and it is joyous indeed.. to have the Upanishads on one end of the rainbow of YAM and Yeshu's teachings on the other is to have two pots of gold indeed.
Wow! We are impressed on many different levels. You must have always been a very spiritual person with great depth! You would have really stood out in our world today where everything is often so superficial. And what lovely penmanship!
ReplyDeleteKeep Calm & Write Poetry!
Murphy & Stanley
It's all plumbing to me, the world is full of a life force that is flowing everywhere but the are blockages and they will always cause areas of damage.
ReplyDeleteMerle..................
Lovely Calligraphy and BEAUTIFUL words of Faith... Love this one.
ReplyDeleteFaith can't always be explained... but you did it very well.
My writing has never been so beautiful (physically and in meaning).
ReplyDeleteLife persists.
ReplyDeleteAs with the letters I found in my parents' house at Christmas, so many inclinations apparent in later life are already present in the much younger person. Fascinating (and lovely). The beautiful calligraphy reminds me of my struggles to master 'italic writing' and how much easier it became when I was introduced to the concept of the 'left handed' italic nib for fountain pens!
ReplyDeleteCheers, Gail.
how great that you still have this book... it is so worth to keep it like a treasure....
ReplyDeleteHow amazingly beautiful. Foreshadowing of what was to come!
ReplyDeleteLovely words and, although I am not a religious person, they make a lot of sense and we should all chase rainbows sometime in our life. xx
ReplyDelete