Poems From The Porch
photo by Harli Marten on Unsplash.com
The disciple was afraid and expected the master to feel the same way.
His expectation and fright led him to chastise the master for being calm amidst a storm.
And what did the master do?
Did the master take offense and ostracize the disciple?
Did he talk about the disciple behind his back and portray him as a bad person?
No, the master did what he could do to ease the disciple’s fears.
He calmed the storm.
Then he reminded the disciple that faith is the antidote to worry.
The master didn’t take the disciple’s behavior personally.
He chose compassion.
Engaging With The Poem
Poetry can be a doorway to the soul and your own creativity. Throughout the ages, the written word has been used as a means to access personal truth and as a vehicle for prayer through the practice of sacred reading (lectio divina). I encourage you to try this beautiful practice and let its fruits be self-evident.
How to Practice Sacred Reading
· READ · REFLECT · RESPOND · REST
Read the passage through slowly more than once, noticing how it feels in your body and the response of your heart.
Reflect: What word resonates with you? What phrase speaks to you? What overall personal meaning comes to you? Allow yourself to follow a tangent.
Respond by making space for the prayer of your heart to manifest. Write down the words and/or phrases that resonate with you and allow them to arrange themselves into your own poem or prayer.
Rest with your eyes closed, perhaps using the word that most resonates with you as your mantra for silent meditation.
Dear friend,
May your mind be peaceful and calm, may your body be relaxed and comfortable, and may your heart be filled with love.
Thank you for reading.
Blessings and gratitude, Ani