Jump to content
IndiaDivine.org

Mechthild of Magdeburg - Effortlessly

Rate this topic


Guest guest

Recommended Posts

Guest guest

From Ivan

 

Here's your Daily Poem from the Poetry Chaikhana --

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effortlessly

By Mechthild of Magdeburg(1207 - 1297)

English version by Jane Hirshfield

Effortlessly,Love flows from God into man,Like a birdWho rivers the airWithout moving her wings.Thus we move in His worldOne in body and soul,Though outwardly separate in form.As the Source strikes the note,Humanity sings --The Holy Spirit is our harpist,And all stringsWhich are touched in LoveMust sound.

 

 

 

 

 

 

-- from The Enlightened Heart: An Anthology of Sacred Poetry, by Stephen Mitchell

Amazon.com / Photo by ac4photos /

 

 

 

 

============

Thought for the Day:

Each stepis part of the journey.

============

 

Here's your Daily Music selection --

Frank Smith

Gardens of Hope

Listen - Purchase

More Music Selections

Hi Alan -Mechthild of Magdeburg was born around the year 1207, probably into a noble family in northern Germany.She had a defining ecstatic experience at the age of twelve, where she saw "all things in God and God in all things." In 1235, when Mechthild was in her twenties, she joined the Beguine sisterhood, as many women mystics of the time did in Germany and the Low Countries. As a Beguine she led a life of simplicity, service, and spiritual practice.Her confessor convinced her to write down her ongoing mystical visions. This project took many years as it was interrupted by periods of sickness and having to deal with the attacks of religious critics. She only completed this work in about 1282, a few years before her death.This book, The Flowing Light of the Godhead, describes the experience of unio mystica (mystical union). Her poetry stands out as

among the most elevated mystical love poetry in the German language, drawing comparisons to the Sufi poets of the Middle East and the Bhakti poets of India.The great Italian poet Dante is said to have been greatly inspired by Mechthild's writing, and some have suggested that that he based his character Matilda in his Divine Comedy on her.==Effortlessly,Love flows from God into man,Like a birdWho rivers the airWithout moving her wings.Isn't that image wonderful? The words themselves flow through us, like gentle music. That opening affirmation is so lovely that it's easy to miss importance of the next few lines:Thus we move in His worldOne in body and soul,Though outwardly separate in form.This statement could just as easily have come from the Zen tradition. When we discover that total integration of self, when every aspect of body and soul recognizes itself as a

harmonious unity, the sense of the effortful self disappears. Our actions and movement through the world flow without friction. We normally take it for granted, the presence of a constant resistance in every action. What is that resistance? It is the fingerprint of the ego as it declares through each effort, "I am here! I did this! I!" It is a declaration of separation. But instead, when we are overcome with love and wholeness, the ego fades, no separation is seen, and we, in turn, flow.Think of it this way: Just as swimmers shave their bodies to eliminate the constant drag of body hair in order to glide through the water, shedding the ego with love allows us to glide with surprising ease through the world. This is how saints and masters manage to act with such natural grace of spirit.And all stringsWhich are touched in LoveMust sound.Ivan

Share Your Thoughts on today's poem or my commentary...

 

 

 

 

Donations to the Poetry ChaikhanaA big thank you for this week's donations from:- Sandi (NY), Patricia (NH), S C (India), Martin (UK), Julie (MO), Tanya (NY), Paulette (CA)I am so grateful for each and every contribution. Your support makes a big difference in maintaining the Poetry Chaikhana.---A few reasons to consider making a donation of your own...

Ivan maintains the Poetry Chaikhana in his free time, usually in the mornings before work. Your donation allows him to trim back his work hours and dedicate more time to the Poetry Chaikhana and your emails.

A monthly donation with PayPal is easy -- just set it up once and then the work is done for you.

People's focus naturally shifts and evolves over time. Individuals who donated regularly a couple years ago sometimes move on. For that reason, the Poetry Chaikhana needs new contributors.

The Poetry Chaikhana is entirely free. You don't have to make a donation to receive the daily poem or explore the web site. Your contribution is always welcome, but you can enjoy the poetry anyway.

The Poetry Chaikhana has visitors from more than 200 countries! Your support helps to quietly carry a message of unity, respect, and spiritual exploration to all parts of the world.

 

 

 

 

Support the Poetry Chaikhana

 

 

 

 

Donations to the Poetry Chaikhana in any amount are always welcome. Thank you!

Click here

 

 

You can also support the Poetry Chaikhana, as well as the authors and publishers of sacred poetry, by purchasing some of the recommended books through the links on this site. Thank you!

 

 

Click here

A small amount each month makes a big difference. Become a voluntary Subscriber for just $2/mo.

 

 

 

 

 

Click here

Help the Poetry Chaikhana reach more people. Become a Supporter for just $10/mo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Poetry Chaikhana HomeNew | Books | Music | Teahouse | About | ContactPoets by: Name| Tradition | Timeline Poetry by: Theme | CommentaryBlog | Forum | Facebook | Twitter

www.Poetry-Chaikhana.com

Poetry ChaikhanaP.O. Box 2320Boulder, CO 80306

 

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are 2002 - 2010 by Ivan M. Granger.All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.

============

Plain Text: If you have any difficulty reading this HTML formatted email, please let me know and I can send you plain text emails instead.

Friday Only: If you want to receive only one poem email each week, reply to this email and change the Subject to "Friday Only".

Canceling: If you wish to stop receiving this Daily Poem email from the Poetry Chaikhana, simply reply to this email and change the Subject to "Cancel".

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You are posting as a guest. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.

Loading...
×
×
  • Create New...