Poems

Prayer of LA FABA

written by someone on the pilgrimage 

to Santiago the Compostella

- sent by Shenaz

 

Although I may have travelled all the roads,

crossed mountains and valleys from East to West,

if I have not discovered the freedom to be myself,

I have arrived nowhere.

 

Although I may have shared all of my possessions

with people of other languages and cultures;

made friends with Pilgrims of a thousand paths,

or shared albergue with saints and princes,

if I am not capable of forgiving my neighbour tomorrow,

I have arrived nowhere.

 

Although I may have carried my pack from beginning to end

and waited for every Pilgrim in need of encouragement,

or given my bed to one who arrived later than I,

given my bottle of water in exchange for nothing;

if upon returning to my home and work,

I am not able to create brotherhood

or to make happiness, peace and unity,

I have arrived nowhere.

 

Although I may have had food and water each day,

and enjoyed a roof and shower every night;

or may have had my injuries well attended,

if I have not discovered in all that the love of God,

I have arrived nowhere.

 

Although I may have seen all the monuments

and contemplated the best sunsets;

although I may have learned a greeting in every language;

or tried the clean water from every fountain;

if I have not discovered who is the author

of so much free beauty and so much peace,

I have arrived nowhere.

 

If from today I do not continue walking on your path,

searching for and living according to what I have learned;

if from today I do not see in every person, friend or foe

a companion on the Camino;

if from today I cannot recognize God,*

I have arrived nowhere.

 * 2 lines cutted by Admin 

 

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It’s called the prayer of La Faba. It’s written by someone about the camino Santiago. I found many parts beautiful

THE SOLEMN JUDGMENT AT THE END OF TIME 

from Vishala, Chitradurga

  from the Gospel of Matthew 25,35

                 Why are people hospitable? 

How to experience the divine?

 

'For I was hungry and you gave me food;

 

I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink;

 

I was a stranger and homeless and you took me in.'

 

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                STUFEN (STEPS)

                                by HERMANN HESSE

    This poem is a classic - it invites growth and greater experiences.

As every blossom fades
and all youth sinks into old age,
so every life’s design, each flower of wisdom,
attains its prime and cannot last forever.

The heart must submit itself courageously
to life’s call without a hint of grief,
A magic dwells in each beginning,
protecting us, telling us how to live.

High purposed we shall traverse realm on realm,

cleaving to none as to a home,

the world of spirit wishes not to fetter us

but raise us higher, step by step.

Scarce in some safe accustomed sphere of life

have we establish a house, then we grow lax;

only he who is ready to journey forth

can throw old habits off.

Maybe death’s hour too will send us out new-born

towards undreamed-lands,

maybe life’s call to us will never find an end

Courage my heart, take leave and fare thee well.

 

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                WHAT IS IT

                         by ERICH FRIED

The poem by this Jewish author

expresses an exemplary inner attitude:

It is nonsense!

says reason.

 

It is what it is.

says love.

 

It's unhappiness!

says the calculation.

 

It's nothing but pain!

says the fear.

 

It has no future!

says insight.

 

It is what it is.

says love.

 

It is ridiculous!

says pride.

 

It is careless!

says caution.

 

It is impossible!

says the experience.

 

It is what it is.

says love.

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Thích Nhất Hạnh

On the Death and Presence of a Great Buddhist.

'The moment I die

I will try to come back to you

as quickly as possible.

I promise it will not take long.

Isn’t it true

I am already with you

as I die each moment?

I come back to you

in every moment.

Just look,

feel my presence.

If you want to cry,

please cry,

And Know

that I will cry with you.

The tears you shed

will heal us both.

Your tears and mine.

The earth I tread this morning

transcends history.

Spring and Winter are both present in the moment.

The young leaf and the old leaf are really one.

My feet touch deathlessness,

And my feet are yours.

Walk with me now.

Let us enter the dimension of oneness

and see the cherry tree blossom in Winter.

Why should we talk about death?

I don’t need to die

to be back with you.'

Thich Nhat Hanh 

(11/10/1926 - 22/1/2022)

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Self-image of a poet.

Sent from Shenaz/Praneeth.

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Encounter at the home of a Muslim family

The daughter gives me her self-painted picture
 - with a very encouraging motto.

'What's Yours

will find you!'

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Trust into the goodness of animals.

A poem from Saint Seraphim of Sarov - written by Shruti:

 

 

Drink water from the spring where horses drink; 

the horse will never drink bad water.

Lay your bed where the cats sleep.

Eat the fruit that has been touched by a worm.

Boldly pick the mushrooms on which the insects sit.

Plant the tree where the mole digs.

Build your house where the snake sits to warm itself.

Dig your fountain where the birds hide from heat.

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A Christmas Greeting 

from Wordsworth’s Ode, Intimations of Immortality: 

'Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting: 

The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star, 

Hath had elsewhere its setting, 

And cometh from afar: 

 Not in entire forgetfulness, 

 And not in utter nakedness, 

But trailing clouds of glory 

do we come From God, 

who is our home: 

Heaven lies about us in our infancy!'

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Pilgrim`s Song: 

'Ich ziehe froh und zufrieden durch die Lande'

alternative clip from Min 8:16        

Ich ziehe froh und zufrieden durch die Lande       

I am wandering through the country happy and satisfied

ob Regen, Schnee oder So-nnenschein                                         

no matter if rain, snow or sunshine

ich bleibe stets guter Dinge 

I always stay in good spirits

und ein Liedlein ich singe       

and a little song I sing

warum sollte es auch etwas And'res sein.                                        

why should it be something else.

Ja seht ich hab' einen Vater dort im Himmel                       

Yeah, see I have a father there in heaven

er sorgt für mich denn ich bin ja sein Kind.                          

he takes care of me because I am his child.

Was soll ich Sorgen mit machen        

What should I worry about

lieber ist mir das Lachen                  

I prefer laughter

und so sing ich alle Sorgen in den Wind.                                     

and so I sing all worries to the wind.

La la-la-la la-la-la ...

Ich ziehe froh und zufrieden durch die Lande        

I am wandering through the country happy and satisfied

und frage niemals nach Ge-eld und Gut.                                      

and never ask for money and goods.

Und wenn mir fehlt Trank und Speise                                               

And when I lack food and drink

ein Gewand für die Reise       

a garment for travel

Gott gibt alles und dazu noch frohen Mut.              

God gives everything and good courage on top of that.

Er hat gesagt: Seht die Vögel und die Blumen.                        

He said: see the birds and the flowers.

Sie streben nicht, doch ich so-org' für sie.                                  

they dont strive, but I care for them.

Und auch für euch will ich sorgen   

 And I want to take care of you too

denkt nicht ängstlich an Morgen     

do not fearfully think of tomorrow

und so sing ich munter meine Melodie.                                        

and so I cheerfully sing my melody.

La la-la-la la-la-la ...

Ich ziehe froh und zufrieden die Lande,                  

I am wandering through the country happy and satisfied

vor lauter Glück mir das He-erze lacht.                                       

I'm laughing out of sheer happiness.

Die Berge dort und die Wälder    

The mountains there and the forests

Täler, Wiesen und Felder                       

Valleys, meadows and fields

alles hat der Herr zur Freude mir gemacht.                               

the Lord made everything a joy for me.

Die Menschen sind alle meine lieben Brüder                                    

People are all my dear brothers

es gebe Gott ihnen fro-ohen Sinn.   

may God give them a cheerful mind.

Die ganze Welt soll Ihn loben     

Let the whole world praise Him

unseren Vater dort oben             

our father up there

und so sing ich immer wieder vor mich hin.                                     

and so I keep singing to myself.

La la-la-la la-la-la ...

Fr. Heinz Perne S.J. (1930 - 2008)

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Petra's dedication

'Mother India'

'Mother India will take you up in her wide, warm arms.

Her magic ...

her endless expanses ...

her warm beating heart ...

let discover her wonders.

It's great that you let yourself be charmed by her!

Confide in her and be as wide as the sky. '

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Bodhi Zendo

A good place

to discover inner realities

while sitting quietly.

What does the hidden

 inner life hold in store for us?

                             

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from:    Cherubinischer Wandersmann

'Stay standing!

Where are you running to?

Heaven is within you.

Are you looking for God elsewhere -

you will miss him always.'

Angelus Silesius (1624-1677)

                             

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