Journey of the Heart

In eastern traditions one’s spiritual journey is likened to the gentle and gradual unfolding of petals around the circular corolla of a lotus flower… The spiritual journey is not depicted as a linear journey from here to there, but rather as a circular opening: a very feminine symbol that describes the soul’s blossoming into its own essence, one gentle petal at a time. Lotus Flower by Photographer Lisa Saraswati Cawley Over this last year i t has been a true honor and privilege to witness the unfolding petals of nearly 100 women, from various spiritual paths and traditions all around the world, as they shared their poetry with us here at Journey of The Heart. Together, these brave and beautiful women wove an awe-inspiring tapestry of voices, in over 200 poems that expressed the contents of their hearts. To honor women and their voices on the one-year anniversary of this poetry project, I offer you the touching story that resounded in the collective voice of these po...

  This poem was actually inspired by a New York Times article on relationships… … and this sentiment of hesitation towards marriage and commitment I've observed in my generation. We seem to be holding off on marriage and making families, wanting instead to experience as much independence and freedom from dreaded stagnation as possible until we commit, thinking commitment to be the end of our personal evolutions. "Transform Again" is about keeping the spark of transformation alive on a deeper level, it's meant to inspire a dynamic relationship with the self and with others, in the direction of acceptance and flexibility, regardless of external status. In the end, we are always transforming, and coming to that realization, we might be able to steady ourselves in that, make the most of it, and find a home in the unchanging, eternal stream of love. Transform Again Transform again So I can say I thought I knew you back when ...

This is a poem I wrote for the younger version of me... As a teenager, I had a strong feeling that I needed something more than the "normal" daily life with its routines and I was tired of chasing the society's empty goals from the get-go. The daily bread wasn't enough then, and it's still not.  I remember feeling frustrated that even the religion I was taught was offering me just platitudes instead of something real and experimental. Though there are references to Christianity in this poem, I mean no disrespect -- it's just how I experienced the faith then -- and I know that Christianity has a lot to offer to a many thoughtful and kind people. The trouble was that I wasn't really sure what I needed - what would truly make me feel alive -  and therefore I felt alienated and fearful of the prospects of life. The "catcher in the rye" obviously refers to the book ;) Now, I just want to hug the younger me and ...

I loved ballet and was looking forward to the day when I could go on point... ... as so many little ballerinas do. Yet that year my life was forever changed, as I contracted paralytic polio at the age of five. I was paralyzed initially from the neck down and then regained movement on my right side. To cope with the pain of paralytic polio, and then childhood trauma that continued into my adolescent years, I disconnected mind from body and my Spirit went into hiding until it was safe to come out and play. When I came to my yoga mat, I discovered a whole world of healing and possibility, and I finally moved beyond that moment in time. Painting by Mary L. Hoffman On Point Tiny ballerina dreaming of going on point memories in a twirling whirlwind stop. Paralyzed muscles in a pool of dead weight life forever changed in the blink of an eye dropping to the ground without warning. Unrolling my yoga mat the seeds of transformation planted nurtured ...

 How does the human heart process grief? And how does this grief inform our spiritual journey?  ...I write from pure emotion and I prefer not to describe my poetry, but to allow it to be interpreted on a personal level with the reader.  "In this poem, Elise opens up a bit of her own heart's process as a multi-media visual artist who fuses her own original musical compositions with voice recitations of her own enchanting poetry, and moving visual imagery, to offer us a very unique experience of her own grieving. Please click the play button below to sample one of her creations."  Photographic expression by Brooke Shaden THOUGHT Is there something there amongst            the dust that could bring you back? Something un-missed, face to face, eyes to longing eyes - which could have foretold by chance that place your       ...

Spiritual practices are an entering into a personal relationship of love...                            ...not a mechanical formula.                                         This poem is a reflection on that reality, as I experience it. Love is Not A Formula 'Madhava' by Braja Sorensen Oh my dear Madhava To push a button That opens up, then The world within us Awake from chrysalis. It’s a dance, my king, Where angels sing And love perfumes Hearts’ inner rooms. How can one make A way to take Love, essence of life, Cut it with a knife Bottled in a jar Studied from afar? Photography by Quoc Dinh Love always resists An analysis. Capture is hopeless And force is useless. If we want to control, We remain like a mole Who desires the sun While be...