Wednesday, October 17, 2007
As the Silence Gathers (poem) and a poem by Rumi
Sometimes, when we reflect on information about disturbing events going on around us in the "real world" and then feel powerless to stop them, we can easily fall into depression, and through our deep sadness, we may simply become part of the problem. Our great challenge at this crucial point is, I believe, to find ways to keep our spirits alive, to maintain connection with joy, even in the midst of suffering, and not turn away from the truth of either realm, light and shadow.
As the Silence Gathers
Be kind to yourself.
Sometimes the heart
does not want to sing,
but watch as the silence gathers
around the flower's head
like an aura seen by a mystic,
a rainbow floating up silently
on the horizon,
a drop of water holding its breath
as it waits to fall.
Dorothy Walters
October 17, 2007
Dance, when you're broken open.
Dance, if you've torn the bandage off.
Dance in the middle of the fighting.
Dance in your blood.
Dance, when you're perfectly free.
Rumi (tr. Coleman Barks)
