Thursday, January 13, 2011

The Doors

I was recently given the gift of a beautiful poem that is filled with wisdom. One of the joys of having a blog is that I get to share it with you here.

"Allow
There is no controlling life.
Try corralling a lightning bolt,
containing a tornado. Dam a
stream and it will create a new
channel. Resist, and the tide
will sweep you off your feet.
Allow, and grace will carry
you to higher ground. The only
safety lies in letting it all in --
the wild and the weak; fear,
fantasies, failures and success.
When loss rips off the doors of
the heart, or sadness veils your
vision with despair, practice
becomes simply bearing the truth.
In the choice to let go of your
known way of being, the whole
world is revealed to your new eyes."
- Danna Faulds, from Go In and In
This could be a description of the past four years of my life.

It reminds me of a documentary about the American band of the 1960s, The Doors. (I had a crush on Jim Morrison, back in the day. He was so sadly strung out on drugs, but he had so much raw talent, beauty and sensuality. The fact that he died in his 20s is a tragic waste; I always think of him, Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin together, a trio of lost artists of 1968.)

From Wikipedia: "The band [The Doors] took its name from Aldous Huxley's book The Doors of Perception,[4] the title of which was a reference to a William Blake quotation: 'When the doors of perception are cleansed, things will appear to man as they truly are...' "
I am engaged in a book study with three friends, and the title of the book is "Open the Door - A Journey to the True Self." Doors of perception cleansed, doors of the heart ripped off, doors to true self opened. I'd call this confluence of poetic doors a blessing.

My blogging friend Mary of Landing on My Feet posted another powerful poem by this same author today. Follow the link if you would like to read more.

11 comments:

Anonymous said...

Great post and BEAUTIFUL pictures! xo L

Anonymous said...

I love this posting...although the pictures might not be of the happiest moments in life, I do love them still.
Lots of love to you!

Mary Potts said...

Dear Karen,

I just posted on my blog and linked to yours. Thank you for reminding me about Danna Faulds. Notice "the door" in the last line :)
Hugs to you.

AnnDeO said...

I love it!

Jennifer said...

I had to read through the poem multiple times, slowly. So much to drink in and meditate upon. You have inspired me to check out Joyce Rupp's book as well ... my heart is healing from painful stuff, and it seems a very appropriate book at this time. Loving thoughts and courage to you as you continue on your journey of "letting it all in" as Faulds wrote, and also of bearing the truth. Of letting go and of being carried along by grace. Deep thanks for sharing parts of your sacred, very precious journey with us ...

Jennifer

rebecca said...

dear one,

thank you. i went to your mary and thankful for her instantly.
your poem here i have just sent to a friend in need.

and you.
you are the embodiment of beauty and compassion.
thank you for your grace in my live.

xoxoxoxoxo,
rebecca

Elizabeth said...

"Practice becomes simply bearing the truth" -- how stunning.

Thank you for this thoughtful post, Karen. There is much to reflect upon. I never really liked Jim Morrison, but I've had a long love affair with William Blake and that quote is one of my favorites.

Karen said...

Well said, my friend, well said. So thankful for you.

Busy Bee Suz said...

That poem is gorgeous and I am with you on losing out of those talented folks.
I know the photos are of a sad day, but they evoke a lot of beauty.
xxooxox

Mary Potts said...

Karen, in response to your question about yoga - I've practiced Ashtanga and Vinyasa. The class I just joined is a combination of the two. Personally, I find the most important component is the instructor, who must not only lead the poses but allow for the meditative principles to have equal value. I attended one class where the instructor babbled so much that I couldn't concentrate. The class was a good athletic work-out, but she needed to just shut up!

Next time your neighbor asks... say YES!
(Oh, and Jim Morrison was very sexy.)

pysanki.blogspot.com said...

The photos are beautiful!