I was really moved by this when I read his words. In a culture where "happiness" seems to propel it to places of excess and inequality, we could be fostering so many other sensibilities. Sacred, deep joy and love for all of nature and it's creations.
I was fortunate to participate in a retreat with Richard Rohr, and Joanna Macy, in 2010. She, by the way, is a huge Rilke aficionado, and has done her own translations. I just finished Rohr's Immortal Diamond, about finding our true self. I think that title ties back to this message, in that to really appreciate poetry, we have to get to that true self consciousness, which is open, unrushed, attentive, nonjudging, appreciative, and willing to be amazed.
Bill, Thank you for the title of this book about the truth that is inside of us. You've touched on what I've been thinking about lately; to find what's at the core of our true self takes time and "unrushed" is the key word here (as I rush way too much). I think poetry is a channel that can connect us with our deeper selves and each other.
I also like the Greek terms for time, Chronos for clock time and Kairos for....time outside of time. It's hard to capture Kairos using our rational faculties, what Cynthia Bourgeault would call our 'cataphatic' or analytical faculties. Rather, we have to cultivate our 'apophatic' faculties, those more intuitive, right-brained, nonverbal senses that we might get to in meditation or other contemplative practices.
As a practical matter, I am a bit privileged to have the flexibility in life circumstances to explore these matters. I'm semi-retired. And yet I also sense a thirst for Kairos time among the most of us who are strapped with work, family, other commitments. And I believe that there are ways to carve out small chunks of clock time for Kairos. Conscious breathing can help. So can music. So can a birdfeeder. Or a conversation with a good friend.
"Cataphatic" and "apophatic" are new words for me, thanks. Making space for kairos is a necessity in my life, ESPECIALLY when life crowds in and kairos seems so impossible. I mustn't put it off. Just a little "chunk" can be a powerful battery recharger (among other things).
Cynthia Bourgeault wrote Centering Prayer among other books, in an attempt to bring eastern contemplative practices into a more western and Christian frame.
For such a word person as yourself, Annette, I wonder if a SILENT retreat (for even a portion of a day), withdrawing from ALL words, would be of "unrushed" benefit . . .
Yessir! Spot on! (And what a pair to retreat with—Rohr and Macy! Rohr was kind enough to blurb one of my poetry anthologies, and Macy's translation of a Rilke poem is in the pages!)
This boost is one I will save (Thank you Cindy and Phyllis). It touches on why we poets and creatvives (painters, scluptors, collage artists, all people artistic) do what we do. When we reach and communicate with that "lump in the throat" moment we share a truth, a connection, to the spirit or soul within us and others.
Ooh, Nolcha! Such an honest "taking stock" of yourself and your poetry! I celebrate your realignment with your true spot! Must feel great . . .
Oooh . . .
“The sacred is something that inspires awe and wonder, something that makes us cry, something that gives us the lump in the throat.”
Well, nature, dogs & cats, babies, etc. often make me feel that way…..bring the “sacred” to me.
And the kindness shared by people.
Yes, indeed, sister!
Wonderfully apt and concise comments on what poetry is, how to fully take in a poem, and what it does. Thank you!
You yourself could offer a powerful commentary!
I was really moved by this when I read his words. In a culture where "happiness" seems to propel it to places of excess and inequality, we could be fostering so many other sensibilities. Sacred, deep joy and love for all of nature and it's creations.
Let's do that—"foster so many other sensibilities." What helps you to do so?
I was fortunate to participate in a retreat with Richard Rohr, and Joanna Macy, in 2010. She, by the way, is a huge Rilke aficionado, and has done her own translations. I just finished Rohr's Immortal Diamond, about finding our true self. I think that title ties back to this message, in that to really appreciate poetry, we have to get to that true self consciousness, which is open, unrushed, attentive, nonjudging, appreciative, and willing to be amazed.
Bill, Thank you for the title of this book about the truth that is inside of us. You've touched on what I've been thinking about lately; to find what's at the core of our true self takes time and "unrushed" is the key word here (as I rush way too much). I think poetry is a channel that can connect us with our deeper selves and each other.
I also like the Greek terms for time, Chronos for clock time and Kairos for....time outside of time. It's hard to capture Kairos using our rational faculties, what Cynthia Bourgeault would call our 'cataphatic' or analytical faculties. Rather, we have to cultivate our 'apophatic' faculties, those more intuitive, right-brained, nonverbal senses that we might get to in meditation or other contemplative practices.
As a practical matter, I am a bit privileged to have the flexibility in life circumstances to explore these matters. I'm semi-retired. And yet I also sense a thirst for Kairos time among the most of us who are strapped with work, family, other commitments. And I believe that there are ways to carve out small chunks of clock time for Kairos. Conscious breathing can help. So can music. So can a birdfeeder. Or a conversation with a good friend.
"Cataphatic" and "apophatic" are new words for me, thanks. Making space for kairos is a necessity in my life, ESPECIALLY when life crowds in and kairos seems so impossible. I mustn't put it off. Just a little "chunk" can be a powerful battery recharger (among other things).
Cynthia Bourgeault wrote Centering Prayer among other books, in an attempt to bring eastern contemplative practices into a more western and Christian frame.
For such a word person as yourself, Annette, I wonder if a SILENT retreat (for even a portion of a day), withdrawing from ALL words, would be of "unrushed" benefit . . .
Yessir! Spot on! (And what a pair to retreat with—Rohr and Macy! Rohr was kind enough to blurb one of my poetry anthologies, and Macy's translation of a Rilke poem is in the pages!)
This boost is one I will save (Thank you Cindy and Phyllis). It touches on why we poets and creatvives (painters, scluptors, collage artists, all people artistic) do what we do. When we reach and communicate with that "lump in the throat" moment we share a truth, a connection, to the spirit or soul within us and others.
Yes, ma'am!
Yes, to poet-tree, rooted within, reaching toward sky/ artistry. EJS 5/24
Nice.
I fight battles on my knees.
May your knees be pillowed. The work is hard.