She mesmerized me with her reading of one of Rilke's Sonnets to Orpheus:
Part Two, Sonnet XXIX
Quiet friend who has come so far,
feel how your breathing makes more space around you.
Let this darkness be a bell tower
and you the bell. As you ring,
feel how your breathing makes more space around you.
Let this darkness be a bell tower
and you the bell. As you ring,
what batters you becomes your strength.
Move back and forth into the change.
What is it like, such intensity of pain?
If the drink is bitter, turn yourself to wine.
Move back and forth into the change.
What is it like, such intensity of pain?
If the drink is bitter, turn yourself to wine.
In this uncontainable night,
be the mystery at the crossroads of your senses,
the meaning discovered there.
be the mystery at the crossroads of your senses,
the meaning discovered there.
And if the world has ceased to hear you,
say to the silent Earth: I flow.
To the rushing water, speak: I am.
say to the silent Earth: I flow.
To the rushing water, speak: I am.
I have had minimal exposure to Joanna Macy's work I've just read a few chapters from her book Coming Back to Life and then tonight's conversation. But what I have gained so far is how important it is to not shy away from the hard stuff, that which is ugly and painful in our world. Which is typically what I do, choosing to instead to focus only on that which is more positive. But what I think Joanna is encouraging us to do is to accept these painful realities which can be so difficult to view so that we can be the clapper in the bell shouting out to our communities and world.
It is that urge to witness so that change can come. On a yoga mat that makes me think of how sometimes it can be challenging to just witness what my body is doing, rejecting how it's not doing what I think it should do. When I step into viewing through the lense of loving compassion I can see what my challenges are and adjust.
Remain open. Flexible.
Anytime I shut out that which I don't want to accept I am limiting the options I have to make adjustments and grow.
I was talking with a yogi sister last week about how important it is to remain flexible, to be soft (which doesn't mean weak). The asanas help keep our bodies moveable...and getting to a place of stillness through meditation also helps keep my mind soft.
It is through that softness, with a heart centered focus we can look at all these disasters and overwhelming pain in the world and bit by bit, as Joanna mentioned, "starting at the edges" begin to change our world.
Maybe you do your bit....and I can do mine...and we can meet in the middle?
Ringing our bells all the way!
Below is a link to Joanna's talk. I believe it will only be live for about a month. So if you want to hear her wisdom I recommend checking out that thing called Youtube. :)
Below is a link to Joanna's talk. I believe it will only be live for about a month. So if you want to hear her wisdom I recommend checking out that thing called Youtube. :)
