To Embody a Poem

Take some time and space to be with a poem. To bring it to life inside you. The voice of the poet then becomes clear, develops and evolves, and indeed becomes alive within the reader. The reader is the epitome of the active listener - of active receptivity and open hearted-ness. 

The meaning imbued by the poet in the words, and in the words not used, is transformed within the reader into new meaning - emobodied beautifully. The active presences and the active absences combine in new ways. 

The tensions are created between the words and the context within the reader/recipient, which is the unique personal history of the reader. A resonance develops, new meanings arise. And the poet and the reader spiral up to new heights of understanding together entwined in body, mind and spirit, which has nothing to do with time and space.

Bogoroditse Devo (S. Rachmaninov)

Thursday evening's Anthem at Evensong at Trinity College Chapel...
Bogoroditse Devo (S. Rachmaninov) here sung by the Australian Voices...

Soul Mates

I drew the above figures on the beach nearly 30 years ago!

Has anyone else noticed that a lot of soul mates are showing up in our lives at the moment?

It's taken that long to figure the following out about it!!! LOL!!! :)

Although a friend had a much simpler line: "True love : - peace, tranquility, harmony, life x"

Here goes......

"A yearning for harmony, connection, peace, contentment...simplicity, clarity, balance, openness, warmth from the gentle Sun.....no rays that reach out and grasp, push, stifle, just a gentle release of Love/Light to be welcomed and heard by the open hear(t)s of all creatures, including the soil/soul mates on the beach.....

They are outlined by contrast....their black lines define them - they are not the same, each is unique - without their boundaries, they would not Be, and they could not therefore Do...

..... their Love is not fixed in one place ... it is always travelling to see(d) new places...it is dynamic, always changing, developing, processing, perfecting, but never reaching perfection.......they are the same, but different.... distinct, but not separate....

.....they have clear white within them....and they are surrounded by brightness....they reflect on the divine white light of Love/Light that imbues all things, including them, in its sacred dance of togetherness....for Gravity is Love....and Love is Gravity...maximum freedom to the parts, coherence to the whole...minimum effort, maximum grace.....for all that they receive they give thanks....and are gr(e)at-ful...for they are great! And they are Full!

The cool of the Sea....The Sun See(d)-ing the Sea with Love/Light. And ripples, waves of gentle energy...on/in the Sea...to their right... sparkles of star-like light upon which their eyes can ling-er, whereas the left side is calm... they are cradled at the centre point...the still point....between the worlds of giving and receiving.....

Of Male and Female polarities... Adam(ant) on the right... Eve(n) on the left.....the balancing of energy between the soil/soul mates.........embracing each other, affection too...between them...tenderness...resonance...coherence...a gentle kiss....an overlap..an embodiment - a Synergistic Energy eXchange.....

They're on the beach, so they are grounded too...kneeling on the grains of sand - each particle, like them, different/unique, the wholeness of the beach within the multiplicity of each grain and each unique grain of sand an essential participant in the wholeness of the beach...

They kneel with sacred reverence.....a mutual prayerful co-creation.....caring for each other, connecting at their knees where they meet the ground, for their souls are the fertile soil from which they spring,... and at their hearts, where they hear(t) each other...without words.... and they hear(t) nature, in which they are immersed, and nature also reveres, cares for and listens to them...and they trust and they know...

And the polarity of Heaven and Earth, above and below......the open, clear, bright spacious sky is the presence above, reminding them that they also can allow for their goings apart again...their to-ings and fro-ings....the space between them to See/Sea more clearly after their coming together, so they can always come back to the ground out of which they grew and to which they will return when they die...for "in the midst of life, we are in death".....

Then the rain will come down and wash the remaining physical particles, the remaining grains, of their bodies into the sea, the fertile Sea, who See(d)s all the possibilities for new growth and evolution within her... and so a new dawn begins...and the cycle begins again as the Sun caresses her way from East to West across the bounteous, benevolent Sky."

Fox Spirit Animal

Fox spirit animals and responsiveness

When the fox appears in you life as spirit animal, it encourages action and quick, swift moves. You may be called to take action in a way that shows your adaptability and ability to move quickly through obstacles and resistance.

Being inspired by a fox totem, you can work at developing the sharpness of your mental skills: Analytical intelligence, power of deduction, observation can come into play more powerfully in how you deal with daily matters or bigger projects.

The spirit of the fox may also imply that you are sharpening your physical alertness and responsiveness.

Fox spirit guides and deception

The fox is known for sneaking into homes and getting away without being caught. Because of it’s characterized by its cunning ability, this animal has acquired the image of trickster in a number of cultures.

When the fox appears in your life, it may indicate that you need to pay attention to people or circumstances that may be deceiving or tricking you into going down a path that does not necessarily serves you. This spirit animal may call you to be more discerning in relationships, whether it’s in business or friendships, or in choices you make for yourself.

Following the fox totem wisdom, look for any area of your life where you may be cunningly led to do something else than you would in all reason do. Use discernment in your choices and actions.

Fox totem wisdom and the ability to find your way around

The fox as a spirit guide offers good teachings about getting around obstacles instead of confronting them head to head. You might find that you could renew or be smarter about how you deal with areas of resistance in your life or projects.

Having the fox as spirit animal, you may be guided to learn from lessons in a way that may feel like you are being challenged or sometimes even being tricked. To make the most of the fox totem wisdom, keep a strong sense of humor and be smart of the lessons you learn.

The power of the fox is a great support to develop your ability to find the sharpest and smartest solution to any problem. Call on the fox guidance when you feel lost and need help finding you way.

Fox spirit animal and nocturnal habits

Foxes are most active at night, but also are day animals. By affinity with the animal totem, you may like to be active and bring your creativity to its peak during night time as it gives you the space to be closer to your natural state.

Working with dreams is a particularly useful practice for those who have the fox as a spirit guide. The affinity with the night activities supports the connection with the dream world.

Fox animal symbolism and traditions

The fox is often associated with the dark side of magic. In a lot of cultures, seeing a fox as you start a new project or endeavor is a bad omen. In some Native American belief systems, this animal represents the practice of negative sorcery and the dark manipulation of magic powers.

The fox has long been considered as a witty, quick and intelligent. In some European traditional tales, he’s the character who outsmarts humans and other animals alike and gets away even in the trickiest situations.

From: http://www.spiritanimal.info/fox-spirit-animal/

Finding God In All Things

 http://www.amazon.co.uk/Finding-God-things-Brian-Grogan/dp/187224548X/

...This is an account of an experience I had in January 2014...

 

"I'm in total, total bliss....in my whole body. Full body bliss from head to toe. I'm literally shaking with the intensity of it. I can hardly type. I am overcome with such deep feelings of love and connection. Now I know how sand feels when it is melted in the heat of a furnace to yield crystal clear glass. Perhaps to make a crystal bowl or a goblet from which to drink nectar. And I yield to the flames. I yield to the metamorphosis, the alchemy.
  
On the way in on the train, I was looking out at Dublin Bay. The crystal clear mill-pond-still-waters. The Stena-Line ferry floating along the surface towards her port, gliding with grace and ease. What a difference to last week's tremendous storms.

And then an older silver-haired gentleman gets on the train and sits diagonally opposite me, across the aisle. He takes out a small scarlet-covered booklet. Is this blood red cover a reflection of the fire at the heart of the furnace I am at the centre of?

And the title of the book? "Finding God In All Things".... My God! My God!... In All Things.

For the first time perhaps, I really get it, I really see Him, I really feel Him. Tears come again. Release of pent-up emotions. Water flowing from my eyes down my cheeks like streams. But, no chance of quenching this fire inside the furnace....

Thank God!
My God!
In All Things!

.....including me :) "

Purcell's Ode to Saint Cecillia

Purcell's Ode to Saint Cecillia where he glorifies the music of the universe in motion....

The full piece

And part 6:  

"Thou tun'st this World below, the Spheres above,
Who in the Heavenly Round to their own Music move."

 
With thanks and appreciation to Mayesvara das.  

See: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ode_to_St._Cecilia_(Purcell) 

2. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Hail! fill ev'ry Heart!
With Love of thee and thy Celestial Art;
That thine and Musick's Sacred Love
May make the British Forest prove
As Famous as Dodona's Vocal Grove.

3. Hark! hark! each Tree its silence breaks,
The Box and Fir to talk begin!
This is the sprightly Violin
That in the Flute distinctly speaks!
'Twas Sympathy their list'ning Brethren drew,
When to the Thracian Lyre with leafy Wings they flew.

4. 'Tis Natures's Voice; thro' all the moving Wood
Of Creatures understood:
The Universal Tongue to none
Of all her num'rous Race unknown!
From her it learnt the mighty Art
To court the Ear or strike the Heart:
At once the Passions to express and move;
We hear, and straight we grieve or hate, rejoice or love:
In unseen Chains it does the Fancy bind;
At once it charms the Sense and captivates the Mind

5. Soul of the World! Inspir'd by thee,
The jarring Seeds of Matter did agree,
Thou didst the scatter'd Atoms bind,
Which, by thy Laws of true proportion join'd,
Made up of various Parts one perfect Harmony.

6. Thou tun'st this World below, the Spheres above,
Who in the Heavenly Round to their own Music move.

7. With that sublime Celestial Lay
Can any Earthly Sounds compare?
If any Earthly Music dare,
The noble Organ may.
From Heav'n its wondrous Notes were giv'n,
(Cecilia oft convers'd with Heaven,)
Some Angel of the Sacred Choire
Did with his Breath the Pipes inspire;
And of their Notes above the just Resemblance gave,
Brisk without Lightness, without Dulness Grave.

8. Wondrous Machine!
To thee the Warbling Lute,
Though us'd to Conquest, must be forc'd to yield:
With thee unable to dispute.

9. The Airy Violin
And lofty Viol quit the Field;
In vain they tune their speaking Strings
To court the cruel Fair, or praise Victorious Kings.
Whilst all thy consecrated Lays
Are to more noble Uses bent;
And every grateful Note to Heav'n repays
The Melody it lent.

10. In vain the Am'rous Flute and soft Guitarr,
Jointly labour to inspire
Wanton Heat and loose Desire;
Whilst thy chaste Airs do gentle move
Seraphic Flames and Heav'nly Love.

11. The Fife and all the Harmony of War,
In vain attempt the Passions to alarm,
Which thy commanding Sounds compose and charm.

12. Let these amongst themselves contest,
Which can discharge its single Duty best.
Thou summ'st their diff'ring Graces up in One,
And art a Consort of them All within thy Self alone.

13. Hail! Bright Cecilia, Hail to thee!
Great Patroness of Us and Harmony!
Who, whilst among the Choir above
Thou dost thy former Skill improve,
With Rapture of Delight dost see
Thy Favourite Art
Make up a Part
Of infinite Felicity.
Hail! Bright Cecilia, Hail to thee!
Great Patroness of Us and Harmony!

Words by the Irishman Nicholas Brady, 1692.

This Morning

sunrise over Killiney Bay


This Morning,

I lost myself in the sky. 

Expanded, clear, empty,

But immersed in fullness. 

Swimming in a diamond candle lit cave,

Pervaded by deep pools of blue wisdom,

Within music.

Flowing forms like water,

Taking the shape of trees,

And fusing up into the lightening sky,

Dappled by red tendrils of flying lightforms,
Enriched by blackbirds,

Dancing on roof ridges,

For fun.

Jan 8, 2014: As I was leaving the house this morning, the sky was amazing.. I really opened up to it and allowed it to immerse itself in me for a while..a deep dark blue in the west and a subtle light blue undergoing slow, but steady dynamic change to slightly lighter all the time...then some clouds flecked by the beginnings of the tendrils of sunlight growing from beyond the horizon....

It took my breath away. ...

...And then when I got home here after dropping the kids at school, a blackbird on the ridge of the roof of the house, then joined by another one.... they chased each other along...it all looked like great fun... Beautiful!