The True Self

On the wings of Your Faith, I fly
Soaring above it all, a tiny dot in a vast blue sky
Longing for reunion, aflame with Your love
Above all the pain, as Noah's white dove
Your presence quenches the blazing fire
A calm fills me, and I am lifted higher

With wind cradling my mortal wings, I soar
Joy enrapturing my essence, creeping down to my very core
Light shining through, a tiny vision caught
A realization, a newly formed thought
This bird in the sky, not the shadow below
Is the true form of "I", what sets me aglow

A Guide's Gift

The light shines off the marble
Creating a mystical glow
Elegant shadows blanket the stone
And the night air moves calm and slow

The doors are opened wide and inviting
People quietly gaze
With humility and wonder they greet their Beloved
Then walk in and their heart's set abaze

They back out with reverance, when their prayers are complete
lamps shining strong and bright
They turn to face the world once again
Taking with them a ray of His light

I watch them walk past, still in a trance
A piece of them left in His shrine
Their worry and anguish lain on the threshold
Moving forward by a power Divine

Whispered Longing

In my mind I see
The leaves change, the colors range
My heart starts beating, the season's greeting
The wind blows by, the mountains sigh
As rain lightly falls, purifying inflexible walls

In my heart I feel the glee
First sight of snow, sets my eyes aglow
Calm settles on the trees, anchored by the winter freeze
Lights reflected, peace perfected
Joy resounding, love abounding
As it settles in my soul, the beauty brings life and makes me whole

A Slowly Fading Friendship

Eyes plead for understanding
Hearts confused and broken
Demolition zones expanding
Troubled by words unspoken

Haunted by memories lost in debris
Not hearing what each has to say
Caring and kindness atrophy
At the ties of friendship's slow decay

Lost in a web, the source oblique
Every day a steeper slope
Unsure which road to seek
Empty of both joy and hope

A protective wall is quietly built
By fear, hurt, judgment and pain
Mistrust clouded by storms of guilt
A friendship drowned in the rain.

Enough

My brain says there is something missing in my life
That this isn't enough
That I'm missing something

My heart yearns for what it does not have
What it does not know
What will make it whole

My mind speaks of wisdom of in searching for what is lost
A light on the horizon
A new beginning

My soul says all I need is what I have with me
Within my heart
Within His love

A Gnat into an Eagle

I once wrote a poem about a butterfly
These beautiful creatures with wings of light
In many ways you remind me of one
Ever striving to reach greater heights
You yearn for transformation and detachment from self
But you fear the responsibilities of flight
The distance you'd fall or the pain you'd inflict
If you didn't do everything exactly right

What you seem to be missing is the most important part
The process which allows it to fly
For a butterfly begins as a very small creature
Vulnerable, small and infinitely shy
A power beyond its own strength or might
Tests it so thoroughly that to itself it must die
But if it were to resist this transformation
It would never reach the heights of the sky

Right now you are wrapped in fear and doubt
Caged in by a force that is ripping you apart
Cocooned without light, you are anxious and scared
But know that this is the hardest part
He is breaking down walls that the "self" has put up
Transforming you into His work of Art
And all you must do to see light once again is
Place your life in His hands and His love in your heart

Trust He is giving you the tools you will need
To fly on the breeze of His tests
To share with the world your beautiful colors
To soar free and unsuppressed
Leave your fears on the ground and spread your wings
Trust He is guiding your quest
For within His love is the strength you need and
Armed with His name you are assured and blessed  

The Gift of Happiness

How could I not be unconsciously happy
In this wondrous place where His light shone
How could I not be filled with joy and wonder
At the way my spirit and mind have been honed
What astounding blessings have I been given
More profound and unfathomable than I have ever known
I pray with the fire which burns deep in my heart
That when I leave my capacity to serve Him will have grown

How could I not share this joy with others
When it has so graciously been bestowed upon me
How could I possibly cover this light
Which radiates and glows for all to see
This love and joy I find deep in your eyes
This laughter of life, this soul weaving glee
With happiness, laughter, joy and love
He gave us the gifts to set our souls free

A World in Hiding

These evils, impossible to undo
Are more unfathomable than I ever knew
The tests and pain, followed by shame
Then bullying, distancing and blame

Youth are hurt, innocence claimed
Their lives will never be the same
Then their peers, cause more tears
Evoking self hate and exploiting their fears

Yearning for compassion and understanding
They receive ridicule and reprimanding
A community hides, puts justice aside
And allows a poor child to drown in the tide

What will have to happen for all this to halt
For us to realize these deaths are our fault
To take control, make compassion our goal
And to love and support these lost and hurt souls?

Missing the Music in my Life

Your love brings music to my soul
The harmony fills me and makes me whole
Our chord so in tune
The tides and the moon
Oh how I pray to see you soon

A hole in my life where you should be
A grand piano with a missing key
Songs play without it
The sound doesn't quit
But there is an ache every time that it's hit

A hollow feeling of the missing chime
A reminder of a melody faded with time
A yearning to hear
The applause and the cheer
As my heart starts singing because you are near

The Same Moon

The moon out my window
Shines bright like the sun
A reminder each night
That the whole world is one

No matter the barriers
Or the hatred we croon
When we lay our heads down
We all see the same moon

The Waves of Life

She felt the waves roll through her
As they poured into the shore
Their elegance and beauty
Soared across her core
Deep inside her mind and heart
Were solemnly at war
But this time she was determined
Not to fear them as before

Standing up, she took a step
To face her fear and pain
As she walked in, the waves were harsh
No chance to breathe, no tread to gain
No matter how she struggled forward
She always fought in vain
For when the waves came strong and cruel
They took back what she obtained

Just as she was giving up
When she’d lost all will to try
A hand was stretched out to her
Someone had heard her cry
He held her firmly in His grip
And with Him by her side
No matter how they growled and roared
The waves flowed simply by

The Stamp

His seal, His stamp
Hath reached every land
And in turn

Every nation, every country
Has touched this stamp
And been touched by it.

The joy, the intoxication
Of visiting this blessed location
Will forever be

Stamped in our prayers, in our lives
The essence will always remain
Sealed in red.

Freedom from Fear

Sometimes fear invades
Imprisoning all thought
Heedless of time
Or the anguish that is wrought

A twisting inside
Controlling the breath
Confused and afraid
Reason's death

Caged by an enemy
In solitary confinement
Focusing on self
No soul’s refinement

Then just before despair
Ensnares the soul
A door of light opens
And you surrender control

The fear bleeds away
Burns in His fire
The spark of love ignites
Connection your desire

You realize that your fear
Was a lack of faith in Him
For in releasing the need to control
You’re set free from the self’s prison

"When one is released from the prison of self, that is indeed freedom! For self is the greatest prison."

A Wayfarer's Journey to Her Beloved

Lost and alone, confused and afraid
Not knowing what lay ahead
I searched my heart for His love and His aid
Guiding me to the path I should tread

When receiving the letter, emotions ensued
Joy mixed with heart stopping fear
The plane ride alone, a test of fortitude
The end of my Search drawing near

Traveling closer, overwhelmed and alight
No thoughts could enter my brain
That black and gold gate, a soul stirring sight
A moth in Love with a flame

Setting foot in the land of the lovers I saw
The reasons for all that had passed
Recognition and thankfulness filled me with awe
And a Knowledge of love eternal and vast

I walked down the path at one with His essence
Seeing Him in the stones and the trees
Detaching from self, my souls’ transcendence
Embraced by His Uniting breeze

As I walked through that historical gate
My soul was radiant with joy
The lack of shrouding and veils bade me wait
And with Contentment, I gazed at His Glory

With every step forward a new sight beheld
Each breath filled with awe and with trust
Lost in His Oneness all “sanity” quelled
In the whirlwind of Wonderment thrust

As I open that door, the self’s left behind
I breathe and my soul’s set aflame
All that’s left is His love, to the world I am blind
Poverty and Nothingness, my claim

Learning to Soar

Thoughts stir, when reading Your words
Lost in the world, the cheeping of birds
Yearning to focus, beginning again
I see the beauty, which flowed from Your pen

But then by the webs of the world I’m assailed
As I lose focus, Your beauty is veiled
My vision is clouded, I see only dust
Created by fear and a lack of trust

There are times I feel I am grasping at air
Searching for You, but left unaware
Caught in a web, I've spun for myself
Unable to find within me Your wealth

Imprisoned in the valley of search
Looking for love on which to perch
I can feel it there just out of reach
But the self holds me back, dampens my speech

Blinds my eyes, and grabs hold of my mind
Until I forget what I'm trying to find
Struggling to fly with my wings stuck together
A bird weighed down by the world's dross and fetters

I fall, crashing to the earth below
Losing sight for a time of the love You bestow
Thinking only of self I worry and fear
Until Your confirmations draw me near

You pull me away, untangle the net
And remind me of something I often forget
That thoughts of self dampen the soul
While thoughts of You make me whole

I take a deep breath, and strive once more
Begging forgiveness, praying to soar
On the wings of Your love, a hairs breath longer
To learn from the past, my wings made stronger

I begin to pray, feeling the warmth of your fire
Your light and essence my only desire
And deep in the depths of my soul I aspire,
To someday be ablaze upon Your burning pyre.

Battling the Self

This never ending battle I fight
Every day, every night
Searching in the depths of my mind
Unsure what I’ll find
Trying desperately to destroy
An enemy, a decoy
I struggle with all my strength and might
A silent foe never in sight
I cry in pain and in confusion I weep
Slimily its roots sink deep
Unchecked they reach into my core
I chop them off, I go to war
Someday I’ll be free of the pain they inflict
Someday I’ll win this inner conflict

A Pure Heart – Inspired by a story from Ruhi Book 3: Teaching Children’s Classes Grade 1

She was privileged to hear Him speak
His voice so pure, His love so deep
As she sat enraptured by His words
Her heart was soaring with the birds

Listening to His words so wise
A longing seeped out of her eyes
At her glass of water she stared
Wishing her inmost thoughts He shared

If only my heart he could acquire
And empty it of every earthly desire
And then refill it with God’s love
And understanding from above

This thought went through her mind quite fast
And just as quickly it had passed
No words were spoken from her lips
But her heart He read like an eclipse

He continued to speak, his listeners enthralled
But quietly a servant was called
A few words were spoken in a language unknown
Her cup was emptied, no reason shown

As He spoke He moved around
And later He came without a sound
Picking up a pitcher He filled her cup
Only she noticed, no one looked up

But she knew He was answering her heart’s desire
His kindness brought the joy she yearned to acquire
He knew all along, the purity inside
Her heart was open, nothing to hide

Through her story we know that our hearts must be pure
For God can see everything, of this be assured
They are open to Him, like a poster board chart
So remember His first counsel to have a kind and pure heart

A Deeper Purpose

Breaking down the barriers,
Thoughts like ice shatter,
Wood of walls erected inside
Formed into a ladder

Guided to the surface
Shown the truth from up above
A deeper purpose seen
To shine and share His love

Your inner light and wisdom
A blessing to us all
The book of knowledge opened wide
Sharing deeper meaning to His call.

Be a Force for Change

Every time she hears the noise, she cringes in fear
Doesn’t matter that she hasn’t lived there in years
Growing up in the middle of a war, a child all alone
Forced to leave the only place she’d ever called her home
Her family lost all they had, had to start anew
But the need to be a force for change stayed with her as she grew

For she always remembered:
When a thought of war comes, think a stronger thought of peace
Block out the hateful drums, and let your love increase
Show friendship to all, be truthful and sincere
Break down the oppressive walls and the savagery of man will disappear.

Her heart stayed with the people, the injustice that they saw
Created in her a desire to help which left me in awe
By telling me her story, my view of war expanded
I learned that we don’t have to accept the world that we are handed
Change in mind becomes change in heart, one voice is all we need
Reminding us that changing our thoughts removes the foundation for hatred to breed.

And now I always remember:
When a thought of war comes, think a stronger thought of peace
Block out the hateful drums, and let your love increase
Show friendship to all, be truthful and sincere
Break down the oppressive walls and the savagery of man will disappear.

Put down your guns, oh ye soldiers of God
For you are the ones, who will crack the facade
Clasp hands and unfurl, the banners that reign
And do not think peace in the world, impossible to attain

When a thought of war comes, think a stronger thought of peace
Block out the hateful drums, and let your love increase
Show friendship to all, be truthful and sincere
Break down the oppressive walls and the savagery of man will disappear.

The Storm

Pressure builds inside
Stemming from some place unknown
Wishing I could hide
Even though I’m fully grown

Sickness in my gut
Uncertainty from clouds rain down
Wheels stuck in a rut
Water rising as I drown

Bewilderment reigns
Crushing me into a sea
Fighting off its chains
Lost amongst all the debris

Wind whips all around
Muffling my silent plea
Throws me to the ground
Where I find the golden key

Every time I trip
The ground is there to catch my fall
I may lose my grip
Eyes blind I’ll have to crawl

But it will always be
Supporting me my whole life through
When I’m lost at sea
It will guide me to a life anew

God is my foundation
His love, the ground beneath my feet
My only aspiration
In His love I am complete

Set Them Aglow

She arrived extra early
That first class we had
She couldn’t wait to start
Her smile a work of art
The joy written on her face
The love in that first embrace
Gave me strength and helped me fly
And I remember soaring in her big blue eyes

These children are waiting for us to arise
To love them and help them to reach for the skies
To spiritually guide them and help them to grow
So show them God’s love and set them aglow

He was timid and shy
Afraid to reply
But nothing compared
To his radiant prayer
He was filled with a love no power can mar
And he truly was a brilliant star
Though small for his size he was extremely wise
And I remember soaring in his big brown eyes

These children are waiting for us to arise
To love them and help them to reach for the skies
To spiritually guide them and help them to grow
So show them God’s love and set them aglow

Regard them as mines rich in gems
As flowers growing from a single stem
Educate them and teach them to shine
The beauty inside which is pure and Divine
For they will learn and like gold be refined
And uplift and empower the whole of mankind.

These children are waiting for us to arise
To love them and help them to reach for the skies
To spiritually guide them and help them to grow
So show them God’s love and set them aglow.

Independent Investigation of Truth

We live our lives in ignorance
Uncertain of the truth
Everything we think we know
Was learned before our youth

A life of lies produces lies
A person learns what they’ve been told
But at some point it becomes our job
To break out of this mould

Investigate, search and find
The answers which you seek
Followers don’t know the truth
Their minds are lost and weak

Unrestrictedly take control,
For actuality become a sleuth
See through your own two eyes
And independently investigate the truth.

Blessed.

Blessed. In Awe. Loved. Radiant.
The way I feel when I see
Your beautiful faces, around these places
Where I am so blessed to be
Thank you for your love, this gift from above
To my heart you have been the key
Your friendship pours, and my soul it soars
Flying unfettered and free
The love you share, is my life and my air
Raising me to the branch of that Tree.
A year has flown by, the blink of an eye
In this place across the sea
My deep and sincere, wish for this year
Is that your hearts be filled with glee.
For when you rejoice, I can hear His voice
The greatest gift you could ever give me.

Empty Chairs and Broken Chimes

Memories of life unknown
Confusion and joy intertwined
Sadness envelopes this heart of stone
Lost words hidden from the blind

Empty hollowness builds
Fearing loss and pain
The dripping sanity stilled
Falling steadily with the rain

Sighs unheard and unseen
Fabricated smiles shine
Holes rip through the spleen
Lines of everything fine

Loneliness settles unsuspecting
Good-byes choke the tongue
Fortresses of steel erecting
Recalling songs no longer sung

Entangled in the webs of self
The bite of death encroaches
Time creeps up on you in stealth
The hour of loss approaches

Nostalgic thoughts of joys now lost
Haunting joys of present times
Freezing in the winter frost
Empty chairs and broken chimes

The Power of a Smile

“O Son of Man! Rejoice in the gladness of thine heart, that thou mayest be worthy to meet Me and to mirror forth My beauty.”

When I see your smiling face
My heart is filled with light
It takes me to a place
Where His love shines glorious and bright
Every time I meet you
I am introduced again
To a spiritual beauty pure and true
A mirror with no end

Our soul’s rejoiceful meeting
Brings gladness to my heart
For in your radiant greeting
Is a perfect work of art
A masterpiece of bliss
The heartbeat of the world
What deep transformation exists
In this radiance unfurled

My foundation is recentered
My love for Him increased
Once this joy has entered
It screams to be released
I yearn to mirror forth
This beauty that’s inside
To inspire others to see their worth
The nobility they hide

And so I share with them
This gift you gave to me
Shining light into a gem
Produces radiance for all to see
In a single smile
We find a force for change
And there can be no denial
That hearts are rearranged

For when you smile with your heart
His beauty you reflect
And with each smile you start
Your own social and economic development project.

“O Son of Man! Rejoice in the gladness of thine heart, that thou mayest be worthy to meet Me and to mirror forth My beauty.”

Sunset

When I see the sun in the sky
I become more aware
That His love is always there
For us to feel and share
The source of everything
The lifeblood of the earth
Remember to look for worth
By finding him within

I want to watch the sun set
On this beautiful day
I want to see the rays
Make color from this gray
As the sun goes down,
It will light up the sky
And that's when I
Will find Him

Sun meets earth,
Earth touches man
You can feel His love
In the warmth of the sand
Even in the night
When you can't see the light
You know its just around the earth's bend
And at dawn you will see it's radiance once again

My Prayer

Pull me from this web of self
Teach me to shine forth your wealth
To let go of jealousy and pain
To wash them away with the rain
When I'm lost and tired and can't go on
Hold my hand until the dawn
Carry me until I find my centre
Until in my heart I allow You to enter
Teach me patience, joy and love
So I can shine Your light from above
Make me ever aware
This is my prayer

A Dream – Inspired By an Episode in the Life of May Ellis Maxwell

In my early youth, asleep one night
Came the Sun of Truth, my soul to ignite
I dreamed of light, so pure and glorious
It blinded my sight, but left me victorious

On a different eve, while shrouded in slumber
My soul took leave, cloaked in wonder
I was taken through space, to a place of birth
Through light and grace, I saw the earth

Marked with seals, one word was seen
Transforming ideals, its beauty serene
Of this soul stirring word, I saw only two letters
I felt like a bird, released from its fetters

The H and the B, would transform my life
The Branch of that Tree, would end all my strife
And then I was blessed, with an image - the Master
My soul was possessed, my heart beat faster

This vision came to me, and then in that second,
Across the glittering sea, I was beckoned,
After nearly two decades, I answered His call
With the Concourses’ aides, I gave Him my all

Of that first meeting, I can remember naught
The feelings fleeting, my entire being caught
“Neither joy nor pain, nor anything … I can name”
Did I retain, except the force of His overwhelming flame

When He left our presence, I came back with a start
The feeling of evanescence, as we were forced to depart
But then His spirit from on High, came into my heart
And what choice had I, but His message to impart.

Paths of Stone

White and red, the path I tread,
Illumined with light from above.
Broken and round, how solid the ground,
Leading me to His love.
As people walk by, their inner eye,
Directed towards His Shrine.
Their souls aflame, their only aim,
Connecting to the Divine.
The stones just before, you walk through that door,
Tell a unique and beautiful story.
Gathered by hands, from Israeli sands,
Their steadfastness rewarded in glory.
Smooth and round, lain on the ground,
By believers filled with grace.
From a distance their unity adds to the beauty,
Of that Holy and Beloved place.
But when there's a storm, they completely transform,
The dross of this world's washed away.
And under the dust, lies hidden a trust,
Of beauty we'll never betray.
Uniquely composed, gems are exposed,
By the flood of His abounding Grace.
This same depth of glory, can be seen in the story,
Of the entire human race.

With Love

Hearts more pure you couldn’t find
Divinely connected, soul’s entwined
Eyes so genuine your love it shines
The beauty of God in every line

Side by side you’ll walk together
Through life’s tests and stormy weather
Serving and radiant in all you do
God’s abounding grace always in view

Two orbs of light capturing hearts
Luminous rays from the very start
Bringing peace to every soul
Illumining every darkened hole

Your personalities are the perfect blend
Of love and joy there is no end
In your presence my soul transcends
So blessed am I to be called a friend

A message from the Higher Self to the lower self

Stop.
Stop telling yourself that it matters.
What they think.
If they find you awkward or annoying or embarrassing.
If you are disappointing their good opinion of you.
Stop worrying whether you are good enough.
Smart enough.
Talented enough to be their friend.
Stop feeling like friendship is something you have to earn.
Like showing emotions will force people away.
Stop changing yourself to be who you think they want you to be.
Stop hiding.
Stop fearing
Stop.
Be you.
Trust them enough to love you no matter who “you” are.
Trust yourself enough not to care if they don’t.
Trust that regardless of who you are, people are much more attracted to the genuine.
Stop being weighed down by the self.
Let Me shine through.
The clouds, the storm, the pain, the loneliness, will go away.
You’ll be left with joy and humor and happiness and peace.
The uncertainty, the fear, the anguish will disappear.
You will never feel alone if you truly let Me in.
Believe in Me.
Trust in Me.
Love Me.
For that is the only way to truly love you.

Rain

Watch the rain as it falls,
Filling holes, breaking walls.
Barriers crash, dams break,
Ice melts, our world shakes.
Emotions enter, wanted or not
Everything we thought we forgot.
Each drop, a crystal clear tear,
Dissolving the anger, diluting the fear.
The negative emotions seep onto the ground,
And into the sewers where they will never be found.
What is left in the end is a deep sense of awe,
A feeling of calm, just after the thaw.
We’re left feeling thoughtful, awake and serene,
Our hearts are clean and God can be seen.
As the sun comes back out, it brightens the sky,
Life starts anew and without fetters we fly.