Somewhere between simple and complex
Lies the meandering path
Leading to the epicenter
Of every sentient being’s core.
Journeys as old as time
Without beginnings,
Without endings,
Peaceful rivers flowing into eternity.
A morning bell pierces
The slumbering silence
Of kindred spirits
From places far away.
Practice, practice, practice,
Letting go, letting go, letting go,
Holding on, holding on, holding on,
To the thought of letting go.
Letting go of doubts and fears,
Vanquishing voices that whisper...
“Not good enough, not strong enough”,
Revealing potency that was always there.
Letting go of desires dwelling in the shadows,
Cleansing mind, body and spirit;
Nourishing the hungry soul,
Embracing the vastness of an empty mind.
Wang, shang, ksang, sang, Wang shang, ksang, sang
becomes the galloping train
disappearing into that dark tunnel,
destination the light within.
Nocturnal messengers call my name
And so indelibly dapple my dreams,
Shedding skins that fit no longer
While seeking clarity in the mists of Pokhara.
Copyright © Henri Ferguson 2004
Author notes
I just spent 5 weeks in Nepal, most of that at a yoga teacher training retreat in Pokhara, an 8 hour mountain bus ride (not for the faint of heart) west of Kathmandu. White knuckles at times but scenery that made it well worth it.
Many hours of yoga on a terrace surrounded by the Annapurna range with 8000 meter peaks of the Himalaya. An introspective exploration through the lens of self scrutiny makes for life altering, mind-body shifting awareness that only this kind of experience can deliver. Physically demanding, spiritually challenging and a peeling back emotionally, leaves one rather naked like an open book.
“Wang, shang, ksang, sang, Wang shang, ksang, sang” these are words from a Chakra meditation and would be chanted repeatedly so fast that it totally sounded like a runaway train. Perhaps “you had to be there” to really get the gist; suffice it to say it works. This has been an amazing journey of shifts that have enriched and altered my life in many ways, these mists of Pokhara.
Written January 3rd, 2005
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1 - 16 of 16
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Beautiful
I enjoyed this so much and it made me feel as though I were on the terrace and on the train .You pen very well and such deep description .
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lovely, breathtaking photo, - wonderful, deep breathing poetry - inspirational - maybe I'll take this in for my spiritual poetry reading? The 4th phrase is important for me - I find focusing for meditation quite hard at the minute - and the next two, equally compelling, as I seek to find paths and answers of my own. This certainly struck a chord, Henri, thank you. I am always amazed at your capacity for explanation, and the feeling that you have a braod river of peace running deep within you.
Sheona
x -
"Letting go, letting go, letting go
Holding on, holding on, holding on
To the thought of letting go"
Beautiful piece Henri and those lines spoke loudest to me.
I have so much internal dialogue, so much internal questionings and condemnations of what Ive done, who I am, where I'm going.
Though I am very good at enjoying moments as they come to me, I am able to find a smile in very tiny fragments of my "now", on the morrow...will hear the inner whisperings that seeks to ruin it. Sigh...
It sounds like your time in Nepal was very uplifting.
Excellent piece... I very much enjoyed its read.
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I have done my fair share of meditating. Admittedly, however, Ive not had the pleasure of experiencing such peace and clarity. Through your words I am able to appreciate and share your experience. The picture is wonderful -- Ive saved it as my wallpaper on my work PC... to bring me peace and tranquility amongst the chaos and bedlam of corporate America. I thank you for sharing this poem. Helen
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As soon as I will be free to do with my time as I see fit, I will go there and just let space and time become one with my soul. This felt like a peek-preview that holds a lot of good promises. I have to wait for this time and space to arrive, but I can hardly wait for it to emerge. Thank you & take care,
Rage -
The first stanza says so much that it could stand alone.. as a very good description of the road we all travel from beginning to end.. the rest is a beautiful description of losing oneself to the moments of breathing..
Very nicely done..
~~Lisa -
Somethings just can't be put into words. You've captured the beauty and spiritual cleansing of your experience about as well as could be done. Your excitement and enthusiasm, the emotional side of your experience, really shines through this. What an a wonderful opportunity, I'd love to experience Nepal in such a life changing way. Your poetry is like music (big surprise there, hey?) for the soul. Reading this was like a mini-retreat. Cheers, Fergs. x ~Tills
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The picture in itself leaves me feeling contemplative and reflective Henri. Absolutely breathtaking scenery.
The concept of reaching for an internal epicentre seems incredibly spiritual , so intriguing. Not an easy achievement by all accounts.
Sounds like a life changing experience
A genuine journey 'into the self'.
Sat here a while , smiling...
~ Sonia ~ X -
brilliant, simply brillilant
this is brilliant in scope and thought provoking for the heart and the mind as life is re-learned. Thank you for taking me on your journey, i can hear the morning bell ring as it sounds out its call. Blessings and best wishes, ~richard
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Brilliant and inspiring
I am with You:
no bell can chime our togetherness
but your Heart can.
Oh dearest God!
your mountains shade me
your path caresses the soles of my feet
lead me into your Silence
peak me within your Timelessness
let us be One
i remember emerald and crystal
sketching your meadows your streams
i remember white gold of arum lilies
resting against my breast
and your burning Kiss on my soul
landscaping love
let me be
holy and whole
myra
04.01.2005
You inspired me towards utter exultative Love.
Edited on Jan 04, 1:47 because 'finer'. -
Great read, well thought out with excellent flow, It was a pleasure to read,you persuade the person almost to get into your thought,and that is not easy to do, I hope to see more or your work in the near future,excellent
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Just to set the record straight, these words that rhyme with Wang are not words I made up but actual phonetic spelling of the sounds we utter while chanting this chakra meditation. The effect fo the rapid repetition of these sounds (along with many others) is nothing short of amazing. And for that you did have to be there. Thanks for reading and sharing your comments.
Namaste,
ferg -
B
Practice, practice, practice
"Letting go, letting go, letting go
Holding on, holding on, holding on
To the thought of letting go"
Best lines, in my opinion. Paradoxical in nature, but still makes sense. I gotta laugh at how many nonsense words you rhymed with, "Wang". the humor distracts me slightly. Not sure if that is good. -
I adore this poem, Redstormy and Lionheart really got it right when they said soothing, because that's exactly what it is, it's a stunning flow, your Author's Questions/Comments wre very interesting to read, great write, luv Romanee, xx
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wonderful
I agree with Red---very soothing to read. Very calming. Loved it. Thank you for sharing this. -
This was absolutely soothing to read, only one thing would be better, that would be if I could hear you reading it. Absolutely love this one my friend. Good message within. I have been writing edgier stuff lately myself. But love the peacefulness of this poem and your message after.
Red
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