Rumi's poem, Inviting Presence, really spoke to me today. My energy has been low, and I have been confused for at least a week. It's so easy to sit and do nothing when you're retired, and there aren't any necessary appointments during the day. The last three lines bring it home, "Move within, but don't move, the way that fear makes you move." Finally, I feel so connected to the photograph; you took all the photos yourself (love that); the Escher feel of the tile floor tile arrangement and the perfection of the action of an unknown person walking away cinched this poem as my favorite.
Thank you, Dawn. Love hearing how this piece spoke to you and brought some lightness to your week. Of course, the photographer in me is pleased that you noticed the Escher feel in the photo. I was hoping someone would notice that subtle detail — the way the tile plays with our perceptions of reality.
Inviting Flow - “Your deepest presence is in every small contraction and expansion.” Stephanie, I agree. As an aging senior, and a woman with lifelong asthma stemming from infantile pertussis, both osteo and Rheumatoid arthritis, and now with heart failure, I instantly get this, and, like you will continue to "breath into" it. I have long felt that movement is key to all of my aging health. It is more evident in my arthritis because I rarely take medication for pain. My heart is holding its own, and my asthma manages nicely and I rarely have an attack (severe coughing). It's almost as though being aware and "breathing into" those moving parts, joints, and muscles is just the Divine Healing I need. Thank you very much. Peace and blessings to all. alice (in wonderland?...)
Wow, Alice. This is so inspiring. Thank you for sharing your story. You really are a poster child for allowing the Divine Intelligence of the body to lead the way. Like you, I believe the body is infinitely more wise and capable if we allow it to be, and simply breathe into it all.
Thank you, Meri! So glad the photos worked out. I had fun searching for the right image and I never know if it will be a hit or a miss. ... And "pregnant words," what a great descriptor.
Rumi's words in English come from my dear teacher, Coleman Barks...and he is a master of pregnant words... Love your image choices. I've been a photographer my whole life and am currently in the process of making some ebooks of my work together with prose poems I've written. LOVED your story about not giving up on your first book the other day for that very reason. More!!
No way! Coleman Barks was your teacher!? That is so cool. Also love hearing of your photography and upcoming poetic project. Do let us know when your ebooks come out. Sounds wonderful.
Oh my how encouraging!! Yes, Coleman was my teacher and mentor and I think of him as my real dad. It was so long ago. I will indeed let you know when I get my e-books up and available. It’s a tricky process making image intensive e-books, but I’m slowly figuring it out because I’m going to be teaching other people who are my age now how to do it in a class I’m gonna teach in the fall. Thank you for your kind words Stephanie.
The last one. Every morning, before my eyes are even opened, my hands go into opening wide stretched, and closing. It seems to be my first exercise of the morning. It does invite the flow of the day.
Here’s my redo of that beautiful first run poem.
DC
“Today, like every other day, we wake up empty and frightened.
Don’t open the phone and begin doomscrolling
Take down a musical instrument.
Let the beauty we love be what we do.
There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.” ¹
I love the way you share beauty in. Oh words and pictures. May I pay attention to the constrictions and openings today.
Oh Ruth, this is so beautiful. I love your redo!!!
Just making it even more relevant for today. But it’s pretty neat that his wisdom still applies.
Rumi's poem, Inviting Presence, really spoke to me today. My energy has been low, and I have been confused for at least a week. It's so easy to sit and do nothing when you're retired, and there aren't any necessary appointments during the day. The last three lines bring it home, "Move within, but don't move, the way that fear makes you move." Finally, I feel so connected to the photograph; you took all the photos yourself (love that); the Escher feel of the tile floor tile arrangement and the perfection of the action of an unknown person walking away cinched this poem as my favorite.
Thank you, Dawn. Love hearing how this piece spoke to you and brought some lightness to your week. Of course, the photographer in me is pleased that you noticed the Escher feel in the photo. I was hoping someone would notice that subtle detail — the way the tile plays with our perceptions of reality.
It's not at all subtle to me. I think that shows where we are in synchronous harmony.
Inviting Flow - “Your deepest presence is in every small contraction and expansion.” Stephanie, I agree. As an aging senior, and a woman with lifelong asthma stemming from infantile pertussis, both osteo and Rheumatoid arthritis, and now with heart failure, I instantly get this, and, like you will continue to "breath into" it. I have long felt that movement is key to all of my aging health. It is more evident in my arthritis because I rarely take medication for pain. My heart is holding its own, and my asthma manages nicely and I rarely have an attack (severe coughing). It's almost as though being aware and "breathing into" those moving parts, joints, and muscles is just the Divine Healing I need. Thank you very much. Peace and blessings to all. alice (in wonderland?...)
Alice I admire your approach to being in touch with yourself! Awareness is a great place to start!
Thank you, Pat.
Wow, Alice. This is so inspiring. Thank you for sharing your story. You really are a poster child for allowing the Divine Intelligence of the body to lead the way. Like you, I believe the body is infinitely more wise and capable if we allow it to be, and simply breathe into it all.
Thank you, Stephanie.
Thanks, Stephanie. I love the photos you chose from your work to ground the pregnant words.
Thank you, Meri! So glad the photos worked out. I had fun searching for the right image and I never know if it will be a hit or a miss. ... And "pregnant words," what a great descriptor.
Rumi's words in English come from my dear teacher, Coleman Barks...and he is a master of pregnant words... Love your image choices. I've been a photographer my whole life and am currently in the process of making some ebooks of my work together with prose poems I've written. LOVED your story about not giving up on your first book the other day for that very reason. More!!
No way! Coleman Barks was your teacher!? That is so cool. Also love hearing of your photography and upcoming poetic project. Do let us know when your ebooks come out. Sounds wonderful.
Oh my how encouraging!! Yes, Coleman was my teacher and mentor and I think of him as my real dad. It was so long ago. I will indeed let you know when I get my e-books up and available. It’s a tricky process making image intensive e-books, but I’m slowly figuring it out because I’m going to be teaching other people who are my age now how to do it in a class I’m gonna teach in the fall. Thank you for your kind words Stephanie.
All four are great, but I particularly resonate with inviting silence. And I love your invitation to Rumi-nate!🙏
Thank you, Lisa! ♥️
The last one. Every morning, before my eyes are even opened, my hands go into opening wide stretched, and closing. It seems to be my first exercise of the morning. It does invite the flow of the day.
What a beautiful image!