Haiku writing-- a spiritual practice for me

Though I haven't been writing in my blog since May (evidently), I have been writing some Haikus (and weekly sermons).  I have found out that Haiku writing as a spiritual practice and pairing them with a photo is life giving for me.  It is a spiritual practice for me.  Not just for me.  I recently found a entitled Haiku-- the sacred art: A Spiritual Practice in Three Lines by Margaret D. McGee.  It goes well with the first book that got me started into Haiku writing: A Listening Heart: The Spirituality of Sacred Sensuousness by Brother David Steindl-Rast.  

I wrote my first Haiku at the bottom of page 82, on 8/18/20 as I listened to the wind chimes and the water fountain.  Steindl-Rast speaks of the Haiku as "a poem of awareness" (82) and "as a mirror" (82)  He writes: "The Haiku is, paradoxically, a poem about silence.  Its very core is silence." (96)

I wrote a blog post after first starting this spiritual practice and included some of my first Haikus.  Here is the link to that blog post: Haiku -- 8/26/20.

Iris Blooms and a Haiku-- 4/26/21

Hammock Time and Haiku-- 5/1/21

Here are some of the Haikus I have written since May 1st:

Morning time with Cliff.

Coffee. Birds. Clouds. Cool air. Calm.

Good start to the day.

DD, 5/8/21

Breezes come and go

Rustling leaves and singing chimes

Peaceful for my soul

DD, 6/25/21

skipping rocks in creek

rock sitting in the water

cold and refreshing

DD, 7/5/21

Fires Creek, NC

canopy cover

gentle breezes move the leaves

breathing in and out

DD, 7/8/21

Haikus bring healing

as they create space inside

my breathing expands

DD, 7/13/21

fresh cool morning air

clouds above moving around

hummingbirds feeding

DD, 7/14/21

hammock time swinging

underneath the canopy

healing for the soul

DD, 7/15/21

sunset on the lake

bright color fills the water

needed peace for soul

DD, 7/16/21

Chester Frost Park

Though there are more Haikus, these are what I will post for now.  On 7/9/21 I wrote in my Haiku journal (yes, I have a journal dedicated to Haiku writing) that to that point I had written about 22 Haikus.  At some point I may post the original photos with the ones that I turned into Haiku photos.  Maybe these will turn into "A Year of Haiku Writing" or "Haikus as a Spiritual Practice". Who knows?!?!

What I DO know is that writing Haikus brings me joy, healing, and hope.  And I guess that answers the question my spiritual director asked my yesterday, at least in part.  She asked 'what is needed for me to have hope?'  I wrote a Haiku based on that and changed the wording a bit after seeing bright yellow flowers growing in asphalt.  Ultimately what is needed for me to have hope is for me to continue the spiritual practices that draw me into relationship with the One who created me, the One who loves me, and the One who knows me best.  Then I can live out my calling to live, love, and lead like Jesus.

Here is that Haiku from yesterday:

the question was asked:

'what will it take to bring hope'?

the answer will come

DD, 7/30/21

Photo is mine

Whether Haiku writing or reading offers you joy, healing or hope, may you find those spiritual practices that do offer you these things.  

Peace on this adventurous journey!

Rev. Deb

me at Fires Creek, NC

enjoying creation