Hari Bhajan Khalsa’s first published poem
I mentioned in the opening that I used to read poems for hours when I was young. They became a meditation for me before I knew what meditation was. Just dwelling on the last line of Hari Bhajan’s poem below and what “it’s about” makes my mind wonder. Who hasn’t wondered what it really is all about? Maybe it is the “red-veined stone at the river’s edge” as Hari Bhajan’s poem suggests.
One of my yoga teachers, TeriLeigh Schmidt, uses the healing powers of five elements in her teachings—fire, water, earth, mineral, and nature. “The mineral element includes stones. They are the wisdom keepers of the earth. They tell the stories. They tell the history.
River’s represent the water element—cleansing, purifying, direction-oriented. They will carve out their own path and their own purpose. They represent direction, and endurance. Rivers flow gracefully without bringing undue attention to itself. They show us how to shape-shift allowing different roles for different needs.” ~ TeriLeigh Schmidt.
One of my favorite authors, Ted Andrews, reminds us that the “river’s edge” is part of the “the ‘tween times/places’ —times or places that are not distinct or definable—they are in-between and are the best places to be open to the magic.”
Hari Bhajan echoed the words of her teacher, Yogi Bhajan when she suggested we find the truth for ourselves within ourselves. Below she suggests pondering “red-veined stone at the river’s edge” as a possibility for what it’s all about.
“Each human being is on his or her own path, each different from yours. Answers to your questions are rarely found in another human. Answer your own questions by reflecting on nature and conversing with your own sacred witness….The stone monuments represent the human in the passage of time and the universality of truth that is held within Mother Earth. It is important to learn to stand still, in silence, in the sacred witness within you. Meditate on stones and the great rock formations that have lived through the ages. Through the stillness you become aware of, you’ll begin to experience the sacred witness that lives inside of you.” The Power Deck, The Cards of Wisdom by Lynn V. Andrews.
There is a mutual respect in nature. The river rushing over the rock will wear down the solid mass, transforming it. Let the river’s edge wash over you, transforming what you believe to be unchangeable within yourself. Believe that you are the red-veined stone at the river’s edge. Keep the wisdom of your story, your history; and let the river’s flow wash away what is holding you back.
I offer three poems below which my interview with Hari Bhajan inspired me to share. I invite you to ponder them as your own meditation and to find your own meaning.
The “red-veined stone at the river’s edge” in Hari Bhajan’s first published poem has much to share with us. Be open to it as you contemplate:
PECOS, NEW MEXICO
Beyond the river
a fan of cottonwoods
bows to the dawn.
A million light years
of sun
prick my flesh.
Crying comes easily
at movies
in the middle of the day,
at dinner
biting into an olive.
What if it’s not about
who I am,
but the red-veined stone
at the river’s edge?
(Appeared in Poesy, 2004)
You can purchase Hari Bhajan’s poetry book, “Life in Two Parts” on Amazon.
As a testament to her love of poems and poetry, Hari Bhajan referenced that the following poem gave her solace when early on in the creation of Yogamint, she was faced with the decision to switch from using “Yoga Mint” (two words) to the now famous “YogaMint” (one word). At the time, it was hard to release from her love of “Yoga Mint”. In her frustration, she meditated upon a poem by Elizabeth Bishop on losing things. It’s a beautiful lesson.
One Art
by Elizabeth Bishop
The art of losing isn’t hard to master;
so many things seem filled with the intent
to be lost that their loss is no disaster.
Lose something every day. Accept the fluster
of lost door keys, the hour badly spent.
The art of losing isn’t hard to master.
Then practice losing farther, losing faster:
places, and names, and where it was you meant
to travel. None of these will bring disaster.
I lost my mother’s watch. And look! my last, or
next-to-last, of three loved houses went.
The art of losing isn’t hard to master.
I lost two cities, lovely ones. And, vaster,
some realms I owned, two rivers, a continent.
I miss them, but it wasn’t a disaster.
–Even losing you (the joking voice, a gesture
I love) I shan’t have lied. It’s evident
the art of losing’s not too hard to master
though it may look like (Write it!) like disaster.
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/15212
And finally, to emphasize her love of poetry and the life lessons she has gleaned from poems and poets, Hari Bhajan referred to the famous poet, Hafiz as a poignant example of the light-heartedness Yogamint embodies. Hari Bhajan shared that “The poet Hafiz wrote about incredible topics but made them fun and enjoyable.”
Hafiz was born sometime between the years 1310-1325 a.d. or 712-727 A.H. The most probable date is either 1320, or 1325 a.d. http://www.hafizonlove.com/divan/rubaiyat/2.htm.
Here are two poems of his I found that I’d like to share—one light-hearted, the other about living the dream of your life:
Every friend who talked of love, became a foe.
Every eagle shifted its shape to a crow.
They say the night is pregnant, and I say,
Who is the father? And how do you know?
~
Spend time with wine by a stream,
And let sorrows away stream.
My life, like a rose, is but few days;
Youthful and joyous live this dream.
If you found the above interesting, please consider taking my meditation “how to” classes. Visit my Web-site for details.
