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JOY:
The Journal of Yoga
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introduction
life
be blessed that these words continue to write themselves through me in poetic
form...
Certainly,
one of the most important occurrences of the spiritual life is the realization
of its discovery: when one realizes (in a way that is real to them) that there
is the spirit and soul as part of their human existence; when one realizes
that there is a spiritual journey to be taken and lived if one will accept
such invitation; when one realizes that there is a sacred worship and practice
of goodness if one will surrender and live such.
But often, for many reasons, too many people become content with the
mere discovery of such, and live (actually limit) the beautiful bounties of
the spiritual life to a plane of their discovery, rarely moving beyond the
limits of the range of experiences defined by their initial discovery.
This
book is offered as an invitation to some, a reminder to others, and possibly
a support to all, to embrace the realities that await those of us who will
pursue and live the spiritual life beyond the bounds of its discovery: those
who are ready and willing to travel the length of their spiritual path and
deepen to expand the expanse of the spiritual reality in their life. The poetry of this book explores a way (among
many ways) to sincerely seek such through the concentration of faith...
that which thou lovest, o man,
that too become thou must.
god if thou lovest god
dust if thou lovest dust.
-- Sufi saying
the maintenance of faith
is the responsibility
of the believer
(to
humans seeking faith)
so
what of my eyes would you have me see
that
you yourself cannot see
why
would you want to see with my eyes
when
this life delivers you the opportunity
to
develop your own sight
for
the breath of life, the breath of god is in all
and
within such breath is the beauty
and
within such breath is not only that to be adored and loved
but
also the spirit to recognize its being in all
for
beauty sees beauty and is invisible to all else
beauty
is seen by beauty and is invisible by all else
and
for all that there is to be seen in this world
what
can you see
that
is more than being beauty
(you
being beauty)
and
of the all that is to be seen
of
what you can see
what
is less than beauty
of
all that is real and true
the
beauty of life (in god) is one and all
even
if its all is made distinct to exist
as
different forms
in
this world
there
is none but god
some
may say
isn’t it enough to have faith and be faithful
and
be ever believing and very believing
(in
goodness)
(in
god)
if
you would settle in your practice of excellence
then
you need not for me (or anyone else)
to
say what is or is not enough
but
if you live the practice of your excellence without compromise
by
your own sight would you see
the
importance of the concentration of faith
to
make every act of your faith
every
repose of your faith
every
breath of your faith
every
motion of emotion and attitude and spirit
(of
your faith)
to
make your every being in, of, and through faith
a
being more focused upon the path of true faith
and
faith true and purified and in essence
with
the expression of the essence of what is one
for
should the purity of such faith be
expended
on the focus of distractions or illusions of this world
or
relished for selfish pride and perceived joys of believing
or
other things not of god's intention for such faith
or
rather should not the purity of such faith be
devoted
to the pure service of and surrender to god
and
by such pure service and surrender
will
abound the will of god to be shared with others
and
with others shared in the service and surrender to god
may
this world be more of a true and living reflection
of
the essence of what is one
with
such as the possibility awaiting to become
lays
the call for a concentration of faith
for
the maturity of personal faith breeds
in
the manifestation of service and surrender
shared
to others
in
the manifestation of service and surrender
shared
with others
that
the cycles of service and surrender may continue to abound
and
the example of prophets and great believers be
the
common service and surrender of all who are true
for
the call to excellence is the call to all who are faithful and true
if
we will only purify our belief
and,
in and through faith
answer
the call
(which
manifests in ways beyond faith)
why
search the horizons and expanses of empty space
for
that which is already within the grasp of your hands’ reach
so
much within you that it is you
that
you need not even reach for any thing
to
realize its potential to be (and succeed)
the
any thing of every thing we encounter is a reflection of our self
all
the issues we encounter are manifestations of challenges unresolved
within
the
problems you meet are only outward expressions
of
the problems you maintain
in
hope that by resolving the problems you will move closer to resolving your
self
your
being
for
if the truth be told
much
of what you live for is not worth the life you=re living
and
why should you wait till death
to
not realize the worthlessness of your existence
why
should you pass a worthless life
when
the opportunity to live a worthy life exists before you(now)
and
the opportunity to transcend your worthlessness
to
become worthy
(now)
excellence is measured in the fulfillment
of what is better
instead of settling for what is less
i
stood before the mirror of my soul
whose
reflection is unwithholding of the truth
whose
reflection is not always pleasant nor gentle
but
a benefit offered for those willing to shed the excess
of
their illusions
but
there i stood
assured
and uncertain within the same breath
and
alone within the meditation of my form
already
committed to walking the path of right living
yet
not fully content with my realization of my soul
for
i felt there was more for me to be
knowing
that i had not yet reached the fullness of my being
(if
there is such a thing)
(or
being)
and
somewhat impatient to fulfill the all of my purpose
although
being so young in the fulfillment of this (my) life
but
yet i stood before the mirror of my soul
humble
in wanting a path to my fuller becoming
and
in staring upon my reflection, my reflection dawned upon me
a
greater form of truth than i had hoped to realize
it
is sufficient to be that which resides within your purpose
and
to compare your being to no purpose and no thing
for
there are steps by which to progress along the road of excellence
and
the fullest fulfillment of excellence
is
manifested in the humble being
whose
step is active in intent, yet guided by forces beyond
whose
every step is appreciating and manifesting of the bounty it is
for
with each step made in the guidance of the forces beyond
is
the potential treasure of you becoming
a
being where the beyond becomes within
(you)
and
as the beyond becomes within, blessings will paint
the
phases of such transition
of
such realization, of such manifesting of life
for
when the beyond becomes within and the within becomes beyond
the
secret of all life and all being exists as perfect balance
within
and beyond you
but
the apparent end is better achieved
by
the progression of steps upon your path
step
by step, in time and in measure
with
your present state of growth
it
makes no sense to seek the fullest potential of your being
if
you are not being the fullest present of who and where you are
there
is no worth in pursuing the all of all that you will be
if
you are not being the all of the parts you presently are
no
sun will set before it rises in the sky,
no
moon descend before it reaches the depths of its heights
and
no seeker of the spiritual path should seek to complete its call
before
it has sung all the notes of its song
in
its right progression
so sing with all your heart, and mind,
and body, and soul
but in rhythm and in persistent active
patience
(balance)
and what of faith could i share with you
and what of peace and beauty
and what of what is right could i share
with you
and what of goodness and of truth
and what of sincere happiness could i share
with you
and what of the qualities of god
and god
what of any of these could i share with
you
if you do not love your self
and realize your self as being worthy of
these blessings of life
for to love your self
(within the context of this metaphor of
words)
is to love the being which you are in which
resides
the potential and opportunity to be
a haven
of faith,
of beauty and peace,
of what is right,
of truth and goodness,
of sincere happiness,
of the qualities of god,
and of god.
for without love of your self
(as the metaphor of words infer)
the self of true life and being
without love you create your own barriers
to being
the self of true life and true being
without love you create your own barriers
to other beings
who are able to show you love and love
you (in purity’s peace)
and love is a language of exchange
by which the blessings of life may make
their way to you
(whether from within or beyond you)
and why should you not speak a language
which is inviting of blessings in your
life
and why should you not speak a language
which is inviting of blessings
when you are able
(as all are able)
it is a matter of choice
and commitment to that choice
so if you would ask me of
faith
peace and beauty
what is right
goodness and truth
sincere happiness
the qualities of god
or god
first love your self
(your true self)
then we can share
in words, in love, and more...
i throw the moon to the stars
and leave the sun for the day
to laugh at the small triumphs of the greatest
creations
keep the wonders of the world
i'll keep the simplicity of my soul
and let us see what proves to be the greater
wonder
the simplicity of the soul
the simplicity of my soul
where life simply becomes a life of simply
being
and living the being of being in the form
of such being
of all the great qualities that are
don’t want, don’t seek: just be
(and become better at being by being)
don’t try, don’t
struggle: just do
(the act of being performed)
and in the better of being
and the performance of being
exists
the simplicity of my soul
the simplicity of the soul
leave
conceptions for those who wish to think
and
may the all of life exist for them within their mental sphere
leave
visualizations for those who wish to see
and
may the all of life exist for them within their perceptions
leave
philosophy for those who wish to seek knowledge and theory
and
may the all of life exist for them in the fulfilling of their seeking
leave
vows for those who wish to be avowed
and
may the all of life exist for them within the fulfilling
of
their declared promises
leave
affirmations for those who wish to be affirmed
and
may the all of life exist for them within the expanse
of
what they affirm
leave
depth of feelings for those who wish to feel deeply
and
may the all of life exist for them within the expanse
of
their feeling depth
leave
discipleship for those who wish to live within an order
and
may the all of life exist for them within the living of their order
leave
asceticism for those who wish to live such contemplation
and
may the all of life exist for them within what they contemplate
leave
the law for those who wish to live in guidance of rules
and
may the all of life exist for them within following
what
is proscribed
leave
the scriptures for those who wish for wisdom verses
and
may the all of life exist for them within such verses wisely lived
leave the all of what people live for the
all that their lives will be
for all in all the all of all can be found
in all things
but leave what is for them as i will be
what is for me
and see what proves to be the greater wonder
(by simply being)
god
is my master
who
i shall never forsake
(so
never forsake)
now
realizing the absolute nature of faith
now
realizing the absolute nature of my faith
and
the path that is an expression of such faith
that
my purposes have been made known to me
and
placed within my expanse to be fulfilled
that
no matter what may come to pass
or
come to stay
i
am committed to my service and my faith
that
no matter what may come to pass
i
have god’s love
which
shall not pass, which shall never pass
that
no matter what may come to stay
i
have god
who
shall never go away
that
the all of my encounters of life
now
encountered within my realization
are
only opportunities and supports
to
challenge and further validate my service and faith
to
strengthen and further grow my faith and service
whether
as happiness or sadness, pain or joy
that
faith and service are made stronger and purer
by
living service and faith
and
practicing service and faith
and
surrendering in faith and service
for
in the depth of faith and service
is
the depth of service and faith
but
in the shallowness of service and faith
all
things are shallow
(even
your service and faith)
so
in such realizations and the continued purity of my manifestations
blooms
a gratitude for every moment that i face
for
within every moment
(even
if masked in a situation or feeling)
are
opportunities and supports
to
challenge and further validate
and
strengthen and further grow
my
faith and service
(in,
to, and by god)
and
it was said to me
do
not expend the true treasures of life
on
those who are not worthy
for
such treasures are living beings
and
why entrust any living being to one
who
is not fit to care for that being
just
as it is better for a parent
to
not leave their child with one who will not
take
care of that child
so
should those who possess the true treasures of life
not
give these to one who will not care for them
for
even god who has the all of all to give
upon
which there are no limits
not
even god bestows the true treasures of life
to
one not worthy of such possession
there
are plenty lesser things to be destroyed and abused
by
the unworthy
but
the true treasures of life are sacred
and
sacred should they continue to be
and
sacred should they be handled and possessed
within
the care of one who will continue the life of its sacredness
within
the care of one
(who
by action, thought, and intention)
is
worthy
and
every
being has the opportunity to become worthy
by
becoming one who will possess with grace and care
the
true treasures of life
by
becoming one who will prosper and make prosper
the
true treasures of life
but
if you will not become such
then
you are not worthy
and
don’t complain about being not worthy
when
you (when all) have the opportunity to become such
but
instead let such an opportunity pass
to
become nothing
and
what are the treasures of life
the
true treasures of life which remain forever true
many
of these are beyond the scope of what words can convey
but
the road to such treasures can be found in many ways
such
as
the
living of truth
(and
living in truth)
the
living of wisdom
(and
wisdom living in you)
the
living of peace
(and
peace living in, by, and through you)
the
living of god
(and
surrender to god
and
the grace of god
and
mercy and compassion of god)
that
by living in sincere relationship with these living realities
(and
more,
since
god provides many roads to the manifestation
of
the true treasures of life)
that
by living in sincere relationship with these
are
we granted and able to develop
the
opportunity to not only become worthy of the treasures
but
to discover and possess and manifest such true treasures
in
our lives
so
those who are worthy
and
those who are sincere
and
those who evolve to know so that they need not be told
in
our knowing let us be reminded of
the
sacred care we should take with that which is sacred
and
for those who do not know
and
are not worthy
(or
not yet worthy)
may
you have this explanation and opportunity to understand
why
such care, protection, and reservation is given
to
the true treasures of life
with
eyes that hear and smell and know
and
ears that smell and see and know
and
a nose that sees and hears and knows
and
a spirit living in the wisdom of truth
with
a heart that lives within the expanse of beauty
and
a mind that tempers thoughts in line with peace
and
emotions that seek to move feelings in line with my spirit's
being
and
a body that expresses in form the realities of all these
yet
let my perspective be pure
and
objective,
and
if needed, removed from the being of me
that
i may see and perceive realities and things as they are and be
completely
unclouded by any vision i would put upon such perspective
for
the world is but a metaphor in which to discover the reality of truth
and
i would not have my self get in the way of my own discovery
of
truth
may
such be a gift for me, a gift honored by living within
a
pure perspective to perceive all as it is
sitting under an almost full moon
with an unseen rainbow in the sky
transparent to the background of night sky and stars
this covenant was shared with me
i will teach of beauty
i will teach of truth
i will teach of love
i will teach of love
i will teach of faith and sincerity
i will teach of peace
i will teach of compassion
i will teach of giving
i will teach of awareness and realization
i will teach of love
i will teach of love
i will teach of grace
i will teach of spirit
i will teach of spirit’s power
i will teach of spirit’s worlds
i will teach of transcendence
i will teach of love
i will teach of love
i will teach of silence
i will teach of courage
i will teach of responsibility
i will teach of wisdom
i will teach of the sacred art
i will teach of growth
i will teach of transformation
i will teach of love
i will teach of love
i will teach of discipline
i will teach of purpose
i will teach of purity
i will teach of soul
i will teach of heart
i will teach of mind
i will teach of feeling
i will teach of perception
i will teach of perspective
i will teach of opportunities
i will teach of efficiency
i will teach of fulfillment and manifestation
i will teach of wholeness
i will teach of love
i will teach of love
i will teach of freedom
i will teach of choice
i will teach of action
i will teach of repose
i will teach of being
i will teach of will
i will teach of balance
i will teach of love
i will teach of love
i will teach of simplicity
i will teach of surrender
i will teach of discovery
i will teach of teaching
i will teach of life
i will teach of love
i will teach of love
i will teach of love
and as i am a teacher
i am also a student
to learn from what i teach
to learn from what others learn
and as i learn and teach
and teach to learn
let my learning and my teaching be
my life
as lessons learned, taught, and lived
and more
and more
there
is no final frontier
no
secrets of the mind
or
super spectacular mysteries of the world
(that
are real)
there
is only the spirit and soul
so
live in the knowledge and wisdom of the soul
and
the reality of the spirit
which
are one
(if
you understand the metaphor)
and for all that these words will amount to
as a reminder of the opportunity
the opportunity within that may be expressed without
to live and love
and love and live
as a being pure and true
within the bosom of peace and beauty
and purpose and fulfillment
and the many miraculous qualities of transcendence
yet
behold
no
opportunity in this world will exist forever
although
the outcome of such an opportunity
may
transcend into a being eternal
and
most opportunities present
have
a seal of limitation
in
which to fulfill their potential
for
as it has been said throughout the ages of time
there
is a reality of being too late
and
why exist within the reality of being too late
when
there is a reality of opportunities present and fulfilled
and
why let the realization of these words
exist
within the reality of being too late
when
there is a reality of opportunities present and fulfilled
so
woe to you who live within the reality of being too late
and
woe to you who will take these words and make them scars
who
take these words in pain, ignorance, destruction
and
being too late
to
only further your being too late, destruction, ignorance and pain
you
who claim that you cannot be what you are
you
who claim that you cannot be what you are not
you
who claim that you cannot be what you once could have been
leave
these words where you find them
and
read them no more!!!
these
words are not for you!!!
for
these words are written for those who will become
one
with the knowledge and wisdom of the soul
one
with the reality of the spirit
even
if in the now they are not what they will become
their
presence is one of opportunities present
their
presence is one of opportunities fulfilled
for
within such presence and opportunities
is
a greater opportunity
to
serve
to
partner
to
love
to
be one with