BinghamBooks - Another Perspective

The Pilgrim's Thirst

January 23, 2010

Tags: Machado, Underhill, Goethe, Johnson, pilgrim, mysticism, authentic, Rilke, thirst

The great Spanish poet, Antonio Machado wrote:
It is good knowing that glasses
are to drink from;
the bad thing is not to know
what thirst is for.*

Evelyn Underhill, the exceptional English scholar of mysticism, wrote in an essay on "What is the Spiritual Life?": "So many Christians are like deaf people at a Read More

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The Trickster

January 21, 2010

Tags: trickster, psyche, poem, puer, narcissus, prometheus, mars, Jung, Episcopal Church

One of the little discussed features of the psyche is the trickster. My 1972 Funk and Wagnalls' Standard Dictionary of Folklore, Mythology and Legend tells me: "Tricksters are found in the unwritten literature of peoples over all the world, and usually many tales or cycles are devoted to their exploits. ...The trickster is Read More

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Remembering Rabi'a al-Adawiyya: An 8th Century Woman Mystic

January 6, 2010

Tags: Rabi'a, Sufi, Basra, God, Spirituality, Prayer, Love, Mystic, Ascetic

There are many women throughout history whose elevated spiritual lives can inspire our own. When I was researching God and Dreams: Is There A Connection? I came across such a woman that most people do not know. Rabi'a (717-801) was a mystic, ascetic and one of the first Sufis. Like others who Read More

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Jan 07, 2010 1:19 PM EST

The more I learn, of less I am certain,
except for the need to remain open
to the Mystery we call God;

Creator of unfathomable diversity
Artist of intricate details
who crafted verdant mountains where fragile flowers dwell
who designed the ocean depths
and no human eyes have yet to read their deepest tales.

So it is with us;
unknown realities within
The Divine indwells;
thirstily seeking us as we search hungrily for what we desire to possess;
Peace of mind and life to the full.

So many voices in the world striving to convince, when all that really matters is the peace that can be within;

Begins with Detachment from outcome,
just do your best.

When one lets go of the need to control and to self-defend
When one has a heart for the poor and oppressed
When one seeks and sees The Divine within all creatures and events
When one trusts The Holy is in control-although the daily news denies it.
When one accepts The Other has a plan and desires to find it.
When one comes to understand The Eternal Mystery is more than any concept
And welcomes the diversity of men rather than deny them.

When one accepts we will not stand on any accomplishment,
But on our motives and the love that drives it.

When one is aware that evil as well as good cut through every human heart
And learns to make friends with silence
The Light is ever present to guide us.

Silent time in nature is as necessary as bread
Prayer is poetry and service her manifestation.

To forgive is divine and necessary to be divinely forgiven.
And therein lies the peace that passes all understanding.

And every drop of dew are but tears from heaven,
Shed each day a new,
For me, for you
For what we did and did not do
To help bring in The Kingdom.

And the Kingdom comes from above and it comes from within.

IMAGINE a kingdom of sisterhood of all nations and all men.

- eileenfleming

Jan 26, 2012 3:57 AM EST

She's with me for t past 4 years guiding me, sending me messages when l'm in trouble. T only great women saint blessed by Allah and a mother who have accepted me as her child regardless of race or religion.

- Valar