Quotes for reflection....

Shalem Institute has posted several quotes over the last few days on their Facebook page (along with pictures) that have caused me to stop and think.  I share them here for your reflection.

"We shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time." ~T.S. Eliot

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

It is possible I am pushing
through solid rock,
like the vein of ore
encased, alone.

I am such a long way in
... I can see no way through and no space.
Everything is close to my face
and everything close to my face is stone.

I don't have much knowledge yet in grief,
so this darkness makes me feel small.
You, be the Master;
Make yourself fierce; break in.
And then your great transforming will happen to me
And my great grief cry will happen to you.

Rainer Maria Rilke

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I have lived on the lip
of insanity, wanting to know reasons,
knocking on a door. It opens.
I've been knocking from the inside.”
― Rumi

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

"Mystery: it is all around us, and we do not know it.... But sometimes when we give it time and space - whether in deep peace or great anguish - it will come up behind us, or meet us face to face, or move within us, changing the way we see everything, and filling our heart with joy and an upspringing of love that needs no direct object because everything is its object."
~Mary C. Morrison in Let Evening Come

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

"There is a depth...in you called the Centre...the Bottom of the soul. This depth is the unity, the eternity, of your soul;... it is so infinite that nothing can satisfy it or give it any rest but the infinity of God."   ~William Law

 

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 

These quotes (and/or poems) caught my attention [along with the pictures with which they were posted].  There are thoughts here that resonate within my heart, mind, and soul.  Thoughts that cause me to reflect.

 

When you read these, what captures your attention?

 

Blessings on your journey.

 

~Debra

 

 

 

Spiritual Formation Through Poetry

I'll admit that I had not really considered the possibilities of growing spiritually through poetry before last week.  Now, that surprises me on one hand, because DUH!  the book of Psalms is known for its poetry.  And, I've read poetry throughout my life that has been significant to me.  Plus, folks in my Bible Study have shared poetry from time to time that has touched a spark. Yet, for some reason, I hadn't considered intentionally incorporating poetry into my spiritual formation (or helping others do the same).  You'd think that someone who advocates anything read, including the newspaper and the comic strips would have been looking into poetry.

Last week at the Academy we were introduced to several poets and several poems.  One or two I was familiar with, the rest were new to me.  And, from among our midst, there were several poets sharing their formation through poetry as well.  It has been many years since I've written poetry about my life, my thoughts, my personal stuff.   That may be something that I revisit, now that the door has been cracked open.

My life has been cracked open.  There is now space to explore poetry in terms of spiritual formation and growth.  I am going to venture and guess that if I find some of my "Nothing" books and other journals where I've written poetry, I might just find some poems dealing with spiritual formation and growth from my own life. 

I shared one poet and poem in a post last week.  I will share another one here.  What I would like to do is have a gathering and share poems that have significance for spiritual formation and life for those who are interested, to be able to discuss them.  But, that's down the road a little.

Last week I was introduced to Mary Oliver, David Whyte, Hafiz, Robert Bly, William Stafford, and Jerry Webber.  I was reminded of and re-introduced to Rainer Maria Rilke.   So, from time to time, I'll be sharing poetry, like I did in an earlier post when I shared "The Way It Is" by William Stafford.

Today, I'll share just one, one to which I've already made reference:

My life cracks open
Jerry Webber

My life cracks open.
I stand in it

careful not to run.

-------------------------------------------
Read this a couple of times through.  How does it speak to you?  What does it say to you?  What in your life is cracking open?  Are you willing and able to simply "stand"?  Beyond allowing this to speak to your head (mind), allow this to speak to your heart.

Blessings on your journey as you stand in the opened crack,

~Debra