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Spiritual: April 06, 2011 Issue [#4324]

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Spiritual


 This week: National Poetry Month - Spiritual Style
  Edited by: Sophy New Year Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Hi, I'm Sophy New Year Author Icon ~ your editor for this edition of the Spiritual Newsletter. No, you have not accidentally stumbled on the Poetry Newsletter -- never fear, this is the Spiritual Newsletter, and this week we'll talk about the spiritual nourishment we can find through poetry, either our own or written by others.

The Rev. Scotty McLennan, author of the book "Finding Your Religion," compares humanity's innate need for spiritual searching to climbing a mountain. In his view, we are all endeavoring to climb the same figurative mountain in our search for the divine, we just may take different ways to get there. In other words, there is one "God," but many paths. I honor whatever path or paths you have chosen to climb that mountain in your quest for the Sacred. *Smile*


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Letter from the editor

National Poetry Month

Inaugurated by the Academy of American Poets in 1996, (making this the 15th Anniversary) National Poetry Month is held every April in the US, when publishers, booksellers, literary organizations, libraries, schools and poets around the country band together to celebrate poetry and its vital place in American culture. You can find more about it at http://www.poets.org/. Additionally, several poets around this site are observing Poetry Month with special poetry forums and contests.

Why am I talking about this in the Spiritual Newsletter? Well, if you believe, as Wallace Stevens said, that "we define poetry as the unofficial view of being," then bringing the art of language in contact with our spiritual practices can only help to deepen both. The Poets.Org web site reminds us that "Many of our most beloved poets wrote with deeply spiritual convictions. Religious texts and chants are themselves often filled with exquisite verse, and a bit of research can reveal the rich tradition of poetry in each religion. Many of our poetic methods and inspirations have descended directly from these collections."

Poetry can enhance our spiritual lives in a variety of ways.

One way is our spiritual lives can be enhanced is by reading poetry - we are inspired by the thoughts of others, poured onto a page from their hearts. Personally I find that my heart and spirit can be touched by poets from numerous spiritual traditions. In fact, I have a wonderful book I glance through often.

ASIN: 0142196126
Amazon's Price: Price N/A


The book includes the work of twelve of the world's finest spiritual writers, six from the East and six from the West. It includes Rumi's joyous, ecstatic love poems; St. Francis's loving observations of nature through the eyes of Catholicism; Kabir's wild, freeing humor that synthesizes Hindu, Muslim, and Christian beliefs; St. Teresa's sensual verse; and the mystical, healing words of Hafiz. Regardless of the religious tradition or spiritual path, these poets offer timeless reflections on our relationship with the Sacred, sharing a common love of God with the ability to express it so beautifully.

Here is just one poem from that book -- and what I love about it? One does not know the religion of the writer.

IN MY SOUL by Rabia

In
my soul
there is a temple, a shrine, a mosque, a church
where I kneel.

Prayer should bring us to an altar where no walls or names exist.

Is there not a region of love where the sovereignty is
illumined nothing,

where ecstasy gets poured into itself
and becomes
lost,

where the wing is fully alive
but has no mind or
body?

In
my soul
there is a temple, a shrine, a mosque,
a church

that dissolve, that
dissolve in

God.


Another way our spiritual lives can be enhanced is by writing poetry. Whether we want to express our gratitude and praise to a Creator, or we need to find our way through a "dark night of the soul," writing poetry can be just the avenue to do so. In 2002 I had not written any poetry for a very long time when I found out that my father was dying of cancer. I had just joined WDC (at what turned out to be the perfect time for me) and I was fortunate to be able to express my pain, lament to God, and work through my grief by a return to poetry.

Whether you read or write poetry, or both, I hope you will take advantage of a great opportunity to nurture and bless your spiritual path during National Poetry Month.

~ Sophy New Year Author Icon

Rabia was a 8th Century Sufi Muslim woman


Editor's Picks

Below you'll find some poems written in the spiritual genre by WDC members. Please let the folks know if you read their piece by leaving a thoughtful comment or review.

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This item number is not valid.
#1762707 by Not Available.

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This item number is not valid.
#1762886 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1760928 by Not Available.

I Lost My Way Open in new Window. (E)
A poem written to express my feelings at a low point in my life. Still a work in progress.
#1762578 by tYpO/T.Boilerman Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1762161 by Not Available.

 THE HEALING TOUCH OF GOD'S HAND Open in new Window. (E)
There are times we need to ask for healing and believe in His goodness!
#1761349 by COUNTRYMOM-JUST REMEMBER ME Author IconMail Icon

Image Protector
STATIC
Why I Write Open in new Window. (13+)
Poem answering a friend's poem about why we write.
#422443 by Katya the Poet Author IconMail Icon

 
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Relief Open in new Window. (E)
Ae Freslighe- a verse form for Writers Cramp
#608697 by Joy Author IconMail Icon

 
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Ask & Answer

Here are some comments from my last Spiritual Newsletter on "Lent," "Spiritual Newsletter (March 9, 2011)" Open in new Window.:

From Budroe Author Icon
Sophy:

Thank you so very much for the inclusion of The Annual Lenten Adventure:2011 Edition! in the Newsletter. Many daring, bold members are on a journey of personal faith (not religion so much) from the River Jordan to (and beyond) the Cross of Calvary to understand why the people of the first century hated Jesus so very much, and how so many came to love Him so very much. It is life-changing, and eternal in my view.

Happy to include it - hope it's been a meaningful experience for many (I suspect it has been)!

*FlowerB* *FlowerP* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *FlowerY* *FlowerV* *FlowerB* *FlowerP* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *FlowerY* *FlowerV* *FlowerB* *FlowerP* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *FlowerY* *FlowerV* *FlowerB* *FlowerP* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *FlowerY* *FlowerV*

From tangerinedream
I liked your idea about doing something new for six weeks, but the requirement was doing it for others. I enjoyed reading your newsletter.
I AM Open in new Window. (E)
Do you recognize me?
#1672192 by ~SilverMoonNoel~ Author IconMail Icon


Glad you enjoyed it, thanks for letting me know.

*FlowerB* *FlowerP* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *FlowerY* *FlowerV* *FlowerB* *FlowerP* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *FlowerY* *FlowerV* *FlowerB* *FlowerP* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *FlowerY* *FlowerV* *FlowerB* *FlowerP* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *FlowerY* *FlowerV*

From monty31802
I enjoyed the Newsletter very much and your picks were grand.

Thanks! *Bigsmile*

*FlowerB* *FlowerP* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *FlowerY* *FlowerV* *FlowerB* *FlowerP* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *FlowerY* *FlowerV* *FlowerB* *FlowerP* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *FlowerY* *FlowerV* *FlowerB* *FlowerP* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *FlowerY* *FlowerV*

From anastasia beyverhausen Author Icon
I really enjoyed this newsletter. You certainly gave a new perspective on the interpretation of sacrifice during Lent. After struggling for years in terms of what to "give up" during Lent, your suggestion of adding something instead is one I would actually consider.

Great, glad it resonated with you -- would love to hear about your experience if you were able to work it into your Lenten journey this year.

*FlowerB* *FlowerP* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *FlowerY* *FlowerV* *FlowerB* *FlowerP* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *FlowerY* *FlowerV* *FlowerB* *FlowerP* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *FlowerY* *FlowerV* *FlowerB* *FlowerP* *FlowerR* *FlowerT* *FlowerY* *FlowerV*

Please keep your comments and suggestions coming, they are greatly appreciated!

Sophy New Year Author Icon

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