I saw this on some sign at my salon when I was there last.
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Tell me, what is God? He is the breath inside the breath. Kabir, 15th century, Varanasi.
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That's one of the things I've been contemplating lately. I've been in such a spiritual dry spell. I'm not angry with God. I'm just numb. I find comfort in the physical motions (crossing myself), but my prayers are like dust. I sometimes think that he's close enough to touch, but it don't have the energy to raise my arm. I don't even know if my fatigue is mental or emotional or both. (I mean that I know that my life is full of the fatigue of both, but metaphorically, I'm not sure about this instance.)
But this quote (which I cannot find through a simple internet search--someone else can tell me if they have better results. I really don't care if it's accurate because it has struck a chord within me) gives me comfort.
I don't have to worry so much about praying. God is the breath inside [my] breath. When I'm breathing, he is there. When my breath is for good and my words are kind, he is there. When my breath is of anger and my words are ugly, he is still there. He is in my breath. He is the spirit and the life within my breath. He is within me. Even when I don't feel him because of my hurt.
The poet is Kabir. I found some beautiful things. This may be the poem in its entirety:
ReplyDeleteAre you looking for me? I am in the next seat.
My shoulder is against yours.
You will not find me in the stupas, not in Indian shrine rooms, nor synagogues, nor in cathedrals:
not in masses, nor kirtans, not in legs winding around your own neck, nor in eating nothing but vegetables,
When you really look for me, you will see me instantly —
you will find me in the tiniest house of time.
Kabir says: Student, tell me, what is God?
He is the breath inside the breath.
Thanks, Jos, I love that I can count on my researchers. ;) I made the change in the blog proper. That is beautiful. It makes me feel better still.
DeleteI love those first two lines...just beautiful. It is about spirituality, about God, about Katie's presence, about friendship, about whatever it is we are looking for.
ReplyDelete