As a lover of the Divine, grace has been a focus of contemplation in my life...
Starting in my youth as a practicing Catholic and, most recently, as an aspiring student of bhakti- yoga.
all for Him, all by Him.
Starting in my youth as a practicing Catholic and, most recently, as an aspiring student of bhakti- yoga.
There are many descriptions of grace, what it is
and how it is given, within a spiritual context:
“Blessings that come, regardless of merit, God’s
mercy, God’s gift, having a quality of kindness....The key that is required for self-realization,
must it be earned? But deeds alone are not enough, grace and mercy are
needed....Divine favor, Divine care....Exclusive to the practice of devotion, surrender
to a Divine Source....
Do nothing, yet get everything, in a non-material
sense...”
And what about experience and Mystery?
I am not an expert on grace nor the words to
describe it.
Recently, I participated in a yoga retreat at a
friends lovely yoga studio and home in Vermont. It was a sweet combination of
meditation (japa), asana practice, walks in the woods, silence, cooking and
sharing food, community and studying the Bhagavad Gita with Dr. Edwin Bryant
PhD. He was asked, “Where is grace noted in the Gita?”. This poem arose from
that discussion. It is my personal exploration of God’s grace in the Gita.
~Gita -meaning the
Bhagavad Gita- is a sacred spiritual text from the Hindu tradition, known as “the
song of God”. Taking place on a great battlefield, it is a dialog between the
warrior, Arjuna and his teacher, Krishna (God).~
Grace in the Gita
Imagine His grace...
So limitless, beyond any mortal knowing,
Expansive, generous.
These words pale in explanation.
Such a simple thing,
Surrender all actions
to Him, for Him, by Him.
Think only of Him,
fixing your mind on Him.
This flying must be, as if,
stepping off a cliff.
Trusting there is refuge...
Imagine!
Even without understanding,
as we could only
with this mortal mind,
Delusion is destroyed,
wisdom gained.
How can one surrender that completely,
beyond any understanding?
It is complete Love.
Always thinking of Him,
all for Him, all by Him.
As He is the Controller,
the Beloved One.
Only with my whole being,
fixed on Him,
can His Grace be known.
Radical love, a radical life
in this human body.
Everything that is shown, points to Him.
All love, brings you to Him.
All desires, are only the desire of Him.
Feel His love, His sweetness
holding you in his hands.
The mind does not know this.
It is only just knowing and being this loving
way.
And there is Grace, listen...
Eternally Home, Eternally Peaceful, Eternally
Loved.
Nancy Carlson: "I am an
evolving poet, writing mostly as reflection, contemplation. But most recently,
as a student of bhakti-yoga, as an expression of my devotion. I work as an
Holistic Nurse Coach, yoga/meditation teacher and Reiki Master. You may
contact me on Facebook here or via my website 'Joyful Healing' here.
~If you are interested in seeing your poetry appear in this blog, or submitting a poem by a woman that has inspired you, please click here for submission guidelines. I greatly look forward to hearing from you!~
Hare krishna.That's such a beautiful poem.Those lines u mentioned " feel his love , his sweetness holding you in his hands" just moved my body and soul.Amazing.
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