First of all, the definition of cynic I go by is this: "one of a sect of Greek philosophers, 4th century b.c., who advocated the doctrines that virtue is the only good, that the essence of virtue is self-control, and that surrender to any external influence is beneath human dignity." Which includes dogma, organized religion and any claims of knowing the ultimate truth. I am also a skeptic, which goes along with that. I thought I would clear that up first.
I enjoy studying religion and spirituality, and learning about different ways of life, but I can't say that I am able to move past my icy cynicism. In spite of it, I am also unable to deny that I can sense a certain cosmic order, or at least patterns that continue to emerge. Many are my rationalizations for exploring a spiritual path, but I can't seem to feel the beating heart of spirituality that I have heard people mention. My practices (yoga, tarot, meditation, pranayama, etc.) are more psychologically and intellectually oriented, but I feel like I am missing out on something.
Yes, nature is indeed wonderful and awe inspiring, but how does spirituality fit into the picture? How do deities fit into the picture?
Write a poem to a cynic, using the questions bellow for inspiration. Of course, you don't have to use those specific questions. Just make me FELL your faith.
1) Do you believe in your deities literally or symbolically?
2) How does spirituality fit into the picture? Does it have to fit into the picture?
3) Do you believe spirituality is in the natural world (plants, people, rocks, etc.) or is it somewhere beyond, on a different plane of existence?
4) How did your faith in a spiritual path improve your life? Could you have achieved the same things without it?
It can even be in the form of a letter, if you're up for a challenge.
Use the tricks in your poetry bag. Metaphor, imagery, assonance, alliteration, etc. If I see kiddie rhymes like eye and sky or contrived and overdone imagery, I will disqualify no questions asked.
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Rules:
1) No dirty pretty
2) No preaching (show, don't tell)
3) One entry per person
4) Prewrites allowed
5) I prefer freeverse, but if you can rock form poetry, rock on.
I will be adding many points throughout the contest.
Have fun!
I enjoy studying religion and spirituality, and learning about different ways of life, but I can't say that I am able to move past my icy cynicism. In spite of it, I am also unable to deny that I can sense a certain cosmic order, or at least patterns that continue to emerge. Many are my rationalizations for exploring a spiritual path, but I can't seem to feel the beating heart of spirituality that I have heard people mention. My practices (yoga, tarot, meditation, pranayama, etc.) are more psychologically and intellectually oriented, but I feel like I am missing out on something.
Yes, nature is indeed wonderful and awe inspiring, but how does spirituality fit into the picture? How do deities fit into the picture?
Write a poem to a cynic, using the questions bellow for inspiration. Of course, you don't have to use those specific questions. Just make me FELL your faith.
1) Do you believe in your deities literally or symbolically?
2) How does spirituality fit into the picture? Does it have to fit into the picture?
3) Do you believe spirituality is in the natural world (plants, people, rocks, etc.) or is it somewhere beyond, on a different plane of existence?
4) How did your faith in a spiritual path improve your life? Could you have achieved the same things without it?
It can even be in the form of a letter, if you're up for a challenge.
Use the tricks in your poetry bag. Metaphor, imagery, assonance, alliteration, etc. If I see kiddie rhymes like eye and sky or contrived and overdone imagery, I will disqualify no questions asked.
********************
Rules:
1) No dirty pretty
2) No preaching (show, don't tell)
3) One entry per person
4) Prewrites allowed
5) I prefer freeverse, but if you can rock form poetry, rock on.
I will be adding many points throughout the contest.
Have fun!
Contest is Over
- Contest was judged on January 6
- Rewards: Gold: 500, Silver: 300, Bronze: 200, Honorable mention: 3 people
- Final notes: Many thanks to everyone who entered. Reading the entries gave me a lot of insight into spiritual matters; the feelings and the reasons that cause some to believe and others to reject. I still cannot believe or reject, but I have more respect and understanding of those who do. Thank you again!
Contest Winners
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Warrior, rebel or meek
granted within each• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
The night grows old, the darkness cold,
The night air rich with fears untold.• Commented on by judge. Prewrite [remove] -
This is so basic and yet missed
so many times• Commented on by judge. [remove] -
Is Anything Wrong• Commented on by judge. [remove]
Gold trophy winner
Silver trophy winner
Bronze trophy winner
Honorable mention
Entries [12]
1 - 12 of 12
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Pessimism and Cynicism are used synonymously here.• Commented on by judge.
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by SsshVoices 29 lines, 1 comment, on Dec 6 9:55 PM 2008. In Adult, Angst, Contemporary, Society, Spiritual, Thoughts• Commented on by judge.
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Treat me like I'm blind
Just trying to cope with lifeby Big Scrive 20 lines, 2 comments, on Jan 2 11:42 AM• Commented on by judge. -
Are we alone the maker
of all we see and know?• Commented on by judge. Prewrite
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Comments
1 - 7 of 7
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I need new glasses. At first I thought the title was "What do you say to the clinic?"
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Haha, can't help ya there.
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FELL - typo
I was going to comment here anyway but I thought I'd just put that there for you to know
I really like what you had to say. I am very much a cynic too I guess. Good luck with your contest. Everyone believes in different things and in different ways, so I'm sure you're not failing to understand
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I would just like to comment on a brilliant irony: as I open this page, the advertisers are - no kidding - The London Spirituality Network. That has made my day.
Also, I have to say, you described me perfectly when you described your own feelings! -
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lol now the ad is 'spiritual poems' and 'affordable soal coaching'.
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Can the internet have a sense of irony? lol, that's just brilliant.
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Thank you for the HM and congratulations to the winners. Thanks Host for a great contest.
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1 - 7 of 7
