The Essential Work of the Poet
"The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek." - Joseph Campbell
above from The Power of Myth, by Joseph Campbell with Bill Moyers
I often use the model above to remind myself of the purpose of life, tempered as it is with myriad expressions of joy and sorrow, pleasure and pain. Joseph Campbell’s illustration represents the concepts of ego-self and higher self with beautiful simplicity. I added the red arrow to indicate the all-important movement from the lower self to the Higher Self as the soul makes its way homeward. Differing terms and various metaphors from an array of spiritual traditions refer to this ultimate goal: heaven, mukti, nirvana, God-realization, union with the Beloved, and others. Words used within the spiritual panorama are not precisely interchangeable and the teachings are esoteric, but the underlying message is the same: each individual soul is on a gradient toward wholeness, moving in a non-linear fashion toward union with the Absolute.
We each have our journeys, comprised of unique experiences and individualized lessons, and sometimes we feel disoriented, alone or in uncharted territory. Yet, if we take time to listen deeply and truly hear one another’s stories, we find that we can recognize and even celebrate our common experiences. We see that everyday life is extraordinary and plays out amidst the grand caravan of souls making their way, imperfectly and often ungracefully, toward the Abode of the One. We merely need the ability to ‘transpose’ one another’s stories, images and experiences from one key to another, as if we were jazz musicians. We can then rest easier and feel encouraged when we hear messages from those who have gone before, marking the way home. This is a kind of Grace.
In my view, this movement is the supreme journey. It is the only “work” that is real and it is essential to have a teacher and companions. This allows for a basic understanding of what to expect and is of true comfort as difficulties are inevitably encountered. Otherwise, life loses much of its purpose. Seemingly ordinary experiences remain unexamined for their inherent value since, as is attributed to St. Catherine of Siena, “All the way to heaven is heaven.” Important opportunities for growth and progress are missed.
Accordingly, it is the essential work of the poet to render forth descriptions of varied experience and imagery to help us on our way. Throughout the ages poets, stationed among us as mystics, shamans, priests, sheikhs, rabbis, saints, sages, jesters and masters from all traditions (and no tradition), have answered this high calling.
Whether it is Rilke’s ancient tower or Basho’s leaping frog or Mirabai’s naked dance, the poet reveals soul and makes our journey conscious. A slice of the universe is rendered forth - sometimes through the lens of a two-dollar camera, sometimes through the eyes of a child – to remind us of who we are and to sustain us through our fears. In all this, the poet serves to comfort the challenged and challenge the comfortable. It is important work we cannot do alone.
I consider it my very good fortune to have shared words, images and sweet synchronicity with the gifted writers of our Wednesday evening poetry workshop. I found a context and a freedom within which I began to listen more deeply not only to the words of others, but to those quiet unformed sounds within myself. I began to hear those patterns and prompts waiting to be scrawled onto the page and shared with others. I learned that I have a voice and a valid way of seeing and saying things. I learned that I can improve on technique and form. I can include or exclude light and sound and fragrance; shape nouns and verbs and rhythm; all this so I may dance my dance with the reader. And with God. Blessed be.
