35. Poem 1: Starting Out

There is a light that shines beyond all things on earth,

beyond us all, beyond the heavens,
beyond the highest, the very highest heavens...
This is the light that shines in our heart.(1)

This quotation comes from an Indian text and reflects a similar truth to that found in an ancient Hebrew poem of creation. In the beginning, when God created human life, God took a handful of earth and breathed Divine-life into it – and we became a living being (Genesis 2:7). Intrinsic to this story is the belief we carry within us God's life-force. Another Hebrew poet expressed the intimacy and wonder of this miracle of life, with these words:

Where can I flee from your presence?
If I go up to the heavens, you are there;
if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.
If I rise on the wings of the dawn,
if I settle on the far side of the sea,
even there your hand will guide me,
your right hand will hold me fast.(2)

The same thought occurs in many Christian writings. For example, the Franciscan scholar, St Bonaventure offered this insight, 

The soul itself is an image of God...
and has the capacity for God
and the ability to participate in God...(3)

Such is the power of your love, O soul,
you live more truly when you love...
this is the kingdom of God within us. (4)

Our search for God may at times feel tantalizingly elusive. Yet the journey begins by learning to love who we are and who we can become.

Poem 1 Starting out

If you would seek Love,
begin first to love yourself
with the same love
that Love embraces you;
then with that love,
love others;
and in that loving
you will find your heart's desire.(5)

If you should desire to
journey into Love's domain,
it is no easy path:
Her door is narrow;
her way is rough.
Many will desire to find it
and will not be able.

Strive, then,
if you must desire,
to enter through
Love's narrow door.(6)

St Bonaventure suggested we do not see this light of heaven because we have become 'blind and bent over'. We have become separated from each other, from our environment and from our Divine source.

How true is this for you? Would you agree with Bonaventure?

A Buddhist teacher once said to me: 

        'A great breakthrough occurs in your spiritual practice
        when you know there is nothing else to do
        – except let go and be present to what the universe has in store for you'.

That sounds deliciously simple and exciting! I will write more about this in my next blog.

Until then...

Kia mau te rongo me te pai ki a koe i to haerenga

May you find peace and goodwill on your journey.

Phil

^{_______________________}

1. Chandogya Upanishad,Chapter 8v7

2. Psalm 139:7-10 NIV

3. St Bonaventure (1217-1274) The Journey of the Soul into God Ch 3:2

4. St Bonaventure (1217-1274) Soliloquy IV:

5. Mark 12:30.31

6. Luke 13:24