30 Jan 2015

I am the canvas

I came face to face with God
I could not believe my delight
Finally today would be the day
I could end my arduous fight

I pulled out my list of wishes
I pulled out my list of complaints
I handed them over to God
To His angels and His saints

God took my list from me
And lovingly went through it
And with an amazingly tender smile
Said, "You have misunderstood it"

You’ve got this game a little wrong
He said with a mischievous grin
It is not one of seeking treasure
And checking off how much you win

This is a game of creation
And we are all co-artists here
Just go ahead and paint your dreams
Which you have held so dear

I looked around for brushes
I looked for paints and pencils
I asked if I could get a canvas
I asked for tools and stencils

God smiled at me once again
With the radiance of the Sun
He said to me, "You are the canvas"
He said, "You are the One"

"You are the painter, you are the paint,
You are the pencil you need
You are the glitter, you are the glue
You are the paper and bead

You are the craftsman, you are the wood
You are the potter and clay
The field of consciousness in your head
Is your playground upon which to play

Go paint your dreams in that space
And craft your ideals there
Your body, your life, your own conduct
Is the art you have to share

I am with you, I am in you
We are strung together in love
We are creators all creating together
Some on earth and some above!"




Context:

I often fall into a way of thinking where I am looking outside, at people, situations, and events and complaining to myself that it is not the way I would like it to be. A very wise person pointed out to me today that the object might be to become one's ideals oneself rather than demand it of others. This approach also reminds me of what Gandhi said "Be the change you want to see". Here is my 2 am reflection on it (in verse)....:-). I hope it helps others also experiment with seeing their own life-spaces as the canvas that they can paint on - fearlessly and with joy! 

This poem is my offering to my wonderful teacher Swami Satyananda (whose words and loving advice inspired the poem and who also lovingly edited this poem for rhyme and meter corrections).  I love you Swamiji, and I am deeply grateful for your teachings and influence in my life. 









12 Jan 2015

Sleeping Monsters

There is a sleeping monster in my life
He does no harm when asleep
But if I wake him from his slumber
He is sure to make me weep

Is it time to wake and confront him
Or should I just let him stay
Should I invite him to open his eyes
So we can drive the darkness away

There are sleeping monsters in my head
Who don't hurt if left alone
Grievances, griefs, and regrets
Hidden well, and never shown

Is it time to let them surface
Or should I just keep them buried
Should I be fearless and in my approach
Or limp on, scared and worried

Is there light enough to heal these wounds
Do I have faith enough to believe
That no matter how much venom comes out
There will be love enough to relieve












11 Jan 2015

A Moment of Connection

It came all of a sudden, a moment of connection
I became one with the rustling leaves
My breath was the same as the dog sitting here
And the butterflies, ants and bees

A moment ago I was admiring the scene
Brought to life by the winter sun
But before I realised I slipped into it
And observer there was none

I became the leaves, I became the wind
I became the hovering dragonfly
I became the Bamboo tree that rose
To caress the elusive sky

The moment passed, the trance was broken
As thoughts began to appear
I become once again, the observer I was
Who was admiring this garden so dear







8 Jan 2015

You Belong

You Belong, even if
You look a little different
Your place is here even though
You stayed, when the others went

You are worthy, no matter what
You did or did not do
You deserve, no matter how
Others might deal with you

You are special, in this moment
The past is over and done
You have a spark in you right now
Your own internal sun

You may have sinned, you may have hurt
And those will bear their fruit
Yet you are alive to sing right now
So pick up your magical flute

What flows to you might depend
On what happened in the past
Just let it come and let it go
This river is flowing fast

Why resist the mighty river itself
The river knows how to flow
It is bringing what it needs to bring
We reap just what we sow

This wondrous river is also our mother
She is the womb that holds us
No matter whether we kick or swim
No matter how much we fuss

The river of life is cradling you
She is fair and she loves you too
Your future is waiting to be coloured
By whatever you choose to do

You are free today, free right now
Though the river brings things to you
She leaves you to respond as you choose
And decide what you want to do

And you Belong, no matter what
You may or may not see
And you are held by life itself
However you choose to be













1 Jan 2015

Hang in There

Hang in there, even if
The world might seem against you
Perhaps that is only your perception
Perhaps it is not really true

Hang in there, even if
The horizon is devoid of light
There may be a spark inside of you
Gradually growing bright

Hang in there, even if
Dark clouds are looming above
They might be waiting to cascade
As a nourishing rain of love

Hang in there, even if
So much you've done is dead
There might be others looking to you
Waiting to be led

Hang in there, even if
You can think of no reason to
For the universe had a unique plan
When it breathed life into you

Hang in there, hang in there
You are cradled by creation itself
Born of nature you belong to her
So just breathe and be yourself






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