meditative poetry
Here’s an opportunity to talk about the way in which you think poetry and the kind of attention that you’ve experienced in poems (reading them and writing them) as well as the care paid to language might be relevant to your own Christian practice. Parini shows how the practice of Christian meditation has influenced poetry, how might the reverse be true (the practice of poetry influence your Christian practice)?
April 30th, 2008 at 3:35 pm
I think that poetry is beautiful. It has a way of spanning generations. I love how poems written centuries ago still impact me as I read them today. I have particularly loved this week. It has been so interesting to see how poetry relates to Christianity. There are so many deep and meaningful feeling unique to Christians. I love how poetry offers an outlet to express this. There are many ways to worship, to show our love and appreciation, and to praise our Savior, and I believe poetry can be another one of those ways. I hope that after this class, as I continue to write poetry, I can use it to help me take a step away from the world and focus on praising God. Poetry provides a unique opportunity to tune out the distractions around you, and just write. Using the writing to praise God is a beautiful thing. I think that God also uses the poet’s words to touch other lives and show other His power and majesty.
May 1st, 2008 at 3:48 pm
Considering meditative poetry, and the way in which some poets pay such close attention to things that seem simple to passers by has made me better realize how, for instance, a cat, could worship God. (even though… we read that last week…) It reminds me to look closer at the beauty of creation and to worship Him by doing the same - looking closely.
But also, reading these poems and also just thinking about the way that we read poems closely has helped me to realize how fruitful a meditation on words can be. Reading text of any kind closely, and reading it repeatedly and carefully, and considering the range of things it could mean, and really considering the meaning of specific words and their connotations, and their multiple meanings, in and out of context, really leads to revelation, and a greater understanding of life and the things we see and experience. This is something I am able to apply in my reading of the Bible and meditation in that sense.
May 1st, 2008 at 7:56 pm
I like reading meditative poetry because it brings to light some of my own thoughts in new and challenging ways. I especially liked “The Pulley” poem we talked about in class on Wednesday. This poem summed up the truth of our push and pull between blessing and restlessness to know more of God’s heart. I understand this principle in my Christian walk, but it is refreshing to read it expressed so elegantly and creatively through George Herberts words. Reading this poem made me think of our yearning after God’s heart in a way I had never done before: like that of a pulley. Whether I am weary in my yearning or feeling blessed by the fullness of His grace, either way I am coming closer and closer to God. What an awesome metaphor. I think it is enlightening to read meditative poetry and to see into the mind of a fellow believer, to see the way he or she views faith that may be a way I would never come to think of in my own experience.
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:59 am
As this week and next week get busier, I was really glad that we started the meditative poems. I am not sure that I would have had those moments of stillness this week if I did not have to read and write meditative poems. As my Christian faith has influenced how I read and write poetry, poetry has influenced my Christian faith. The most significant impact is the way poetry goes beyond literal meanings almost every time. There is an incredible amount of symbolism in poetry which leads to an even deeper meaning. That is often found in scripture as well. There is so much to scripture that does not meet the eye right away, and it takes deeper reading and meditation to understand the different purposes of a single reading. Also, poetry has the interesting aspect of having to read it more than once so that you can get something new from it everything. I feel this is greatly similar to that of scripture, since you can read scripture an infinite amount of time, and still learn something new. Reading poetry more than once, has influenced me to read scripture even more than once, and read it in a deeper way.
May 2nd, 2008 at 7:59 am
I find poetry and meditation to be closely linked, as poetry can be seen as an outgrowth of meditation. Writers of poetry are generally deep thinkers and are able to apply their thoughts to language in a unique and profound way.
Poetry in and of itself is a form of meditation. When writing or reading poetry, discipline of the soul is involved. One must put all the noise of the outer (and even inner) life aside and focus on the message of a given poem. Poetry involves deep reflection and an active will to resist the inherent clamour of everyday life. It forces one into silence and engages the thoughts in a specified direction. It prohibits the normal aimless wanderings of the human mind.
In addition to its generic ability to foster meditation, poetry plays a key role in the realm of the Christian meditative tradition. Meditation is an often effective means of gaining closeness to God, as it allows one to think only on Him. Poetry that speaks of spiritual things puts its readers into a state of meditation on God, as the words and musings of poetry direct the reader into reflection on the deep things of the spiritual life. Poetry is a wonderful way in which to reflect on life and spirituality, indeed, to encourage the meditation that is so necessary in a busy world.
May 2nd, 2008 at 9:22 am
Studying poetry has had an obvious influence on my reading of the Bible because it is filled with poetry. But it has also helped to hone my skills for finding deeper meanings within a text. It has also showed me that there are different ways a text can be interpreted. And anyone who studies the Bible would be able to say the same of it. If there were no room for different interpretations, then we would not have as many arguments over theology as we do today. The problem is not the arguments themselves, but the attitude some take on when backing their interpretation. Many of these arguments are not friendly conversations. But poetry class has allowed me to see that it is ok if someone else has a different perspective. Instead of looking at their perspective as false, I think we need to look for the positive in their argument. Look for the things that might coincide with your own argument. And most of the time, I bet you will find that your arguments are more similar than you think.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:34 pm
Poetry is much more than lines that rhyme and quatrains of stanzas. Poetry is the process by which we stop amidst our busy lives to observe and learn from the things, people, and situations around us. Poetry challenges us to not merely skim the surface of life; it stirs us to look beyond what is seen, to consider the unseen and the effects it has on our lives. In the same manner, poetry enables us to experience the Christian faith in a new level. It is only through metaphors and the use of language that we are able to attempt to understand God and who he is. The same techniques that we used to write our meditative poem this week is the same in which we often employ when we sit still to pray, to speak with God, to listen to his voice. We must be willing to turn off all distractions, and silence the noise in our own minds so that we might be able to truly connect with something outside of ourselves. Poetry is a way life, and one that cannot be deemed seperate from the Christian faith.
May 2nd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
In meditative poetry, there is such an emphasis on the specific word choices; these choices are incredibly intentional and purposeful. The practice of writing poetry that is so powerfully meditative is something that would help tremendously in daily spiritual life. The practice of being intentional and purposeful in our choices to meditate with God is very similar. Most of us already do this to a certain extent in our use of metaphor in understanding of the nature of God. Like I mentioned in class, a really powerful way to extend that meditation is to begin with a prayer but not complete it and continue in a prayerful state throughout the day. Doing this can help us focus on our daily life and how that relates to our spiritual life, as well as a constant reminder that those two aspects should be part of a complete, comprehensive whole.
May 2nd, 2008 at 4:16 pm
I have always been enamored by the power of the psalms in the Hebrew text. In the past I had no particular knowledge of the different forms of poetry, and yet I was moved all the same by the writings of the psalmists. Even to this day the psalms are an every part of my life. As part of the Jewish tradition, we are called to pray 3 times every day from the Jewish prayer book which is made up mostly of the psalms. The psalms are organized in such a way that they become more and more praiseful of the Lord, maker of heaven and earth, so much so, that the reader’s soul become more and more elevated, leading up to what we call the “Amida,” which literally means “The Standing,” which is a series of 18 prayers that are said standing up, and are said to be the “holiest” prayers. The idea is that by the time the reader has arrived at the 18 “Staining” prayers he or she has been elevated in spirit to the place that they may utter the last 18 prayers of thanks giving. It is amazing how powerful this form of prayer really is. This thousands of years old prayer book was designs for this very reason. In past days, when my spirit was les at conflict with the world. I remember rising up every morning around 5:30am before the sun had come up and I would follow the prayers in the Jewish prayer book. The power of meditation and prayer are amazing. It felt like spiritual food, a void that could not be filled with anything else.
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:34 pm
I would suppose that for me poetry as far as formal poetry does not have a grand effect on my Christian practice. At times there are instances that within a “quite time” that I would free write or journal whatever was on my mind without regard to standards or punctuation. I felt that most Christians are influenced by some degree by poetry. I feel that this usually could come in the form of the Psalms. The Psalms are some of the most recognizable poetic literature related to Christianity and many Christians look to these writing for inspiration, lamenting and joy. I feel that personally the psalms do influence my Christian life and walk with Christ. Even the words I just said “walk with Christ” are a poetic metaphor that we use to describe the hard to comprehend bond between Christ and his followers. So I guess I would actually say that poetry does influence my
“walk” more then I first thought but not to an extreme amount.
May 2nd, 2008 at 8:34 pm
I really liked the idea of the meditative poem. It was really cool just thinking about one thing and really developing a sense of what it truly is. It was neat to take the time and ponder about one thing to a point where you could actually write a poem about it. I also think that the function of meditation for poetry strongly spills over in to the religious realm. When you focus on one thing that was created by God you can focus on the characteristics of God that are visible with in it. By learning about the physical world we can learn about ourselves on the mental and spiritual level. The closer that we get to reflecting on our surroundings the closer i believe we get to reflecting on ourselves and who we are. When we realize more of who we are we realize who we are in Christ bringing us closer to who He is. The Bible talks alot about general revelation where God shows Himself through nature. The more keen we are to that the more we can be keen to the unseen and the world that God has set into motion. It all starts with meditation and deeply observing the world around us to understand who we are better.
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:03 pm
Though it isn’t necessarily in the discussion topic, I wanted to give my particular thoughts on the subject of meditation. In my church, before the sermon, my pastor reads some introductory verses upon which he preaches. But between the verses and the sermon, my pastor gives several moments during which to reflect and meditate on the Scripture read. For the longest time I never really knew what he meant by meditate, for I had always thought it was the kind of Eastern meditation of sitting cross-legged with eyes closed while humming. But then eventually a family friend explained to me that by meditation, it was more of a diligent thinking about it. In his words, “It’s like a cow chewing cud… they take in the grass, chew it, swallow it, regurgitate it to chew it and swallow it again.” Though it’s kind of a gross simile, it does hold merit. Scripture and prayer both require an especial attention to fully “digest” meanings and values.
As far as influencing poetry, meditation in general, Christian or not, has influenced poetry. Meditation is a careful examination of life, of spirituality, and of self. Poetry is meant to enrich the soul, and it gives a window to see what others see. By focusing our attention, we can better understand our environment and ourselves. Poetry can be a snapshot of that telescopic camera view we call “meditation.”
May 2nd, 2008 at 10:08 pm
I think when it comes to meditative poetry, it is extremely spiritual. When meditating on God’s Word, you are more in tune with the meaning and force of the words. In the same way, reading and writing poetry with a Christian perspective can bring out your inner musings, festering thoughts, as well as bring more clarity to tough or confusing situations. Prayer, meditation, and poetry are all about communicating and reaching a better level of understanding. I know that for me writing poetry is a way to effectively react to situations in my life that I can’t express any other way. Since God made us all different, we all have varying ways of communicating, and I think poetry can be very much like prayer for some people. Meditative poetry tears away at the obvious and cliché, slowly striving for the elusive and hidden truths of life. God must admire our struggle for truth, because He is the ultimate truth.
May 3rd, 2008 at 12:34 am
Poetry is a very strong medium of communication. I might sound snobbish when I do such things as call poems “Pieces,” but that is what they are. They are piece of art expressing in great detail what it is the author wants to convey. This is why language and poetry is so important to my faith. I honestly don’t know when this started, but for a while now I have felt a very close bond to the Jewish faith. Maybe it is the ancient, mythical aspect and how that brings a mysterious feeling about it, but there is something about the poetic forms used, not only in Hebrew prayers, but in the scriptures as well. The great amount of metaphor and deep meaning the writers can squeeze into the text is astonishing, and it is all done using literary tools and language. The entire book of psalms is poetry! Well, possibly songs, but it’s the same thing. Basically, language and poetry can create such a wonderful ambience to religion, Judaism in particular, that simply draws me to it.
May 3rd, 2008 at 11:44 am
Poetry has already influenced my Christian practice. The Road Less Traveled was the poem that I had to present to the class, and it has really stuck with me ever since then. I have always enjoyed poetry by Robert Frost, but this poem in particular has really made me think about my spiritual journey and the supposed “path” that I am taking. Is it really the road less traveled? Is it really taking the best one for me; meaning is it the one that God wants me to travel down, or am I just pretending that it is the way that He wants me to go hoping that in the end He will be ok with it? Frost has encouraged me to meditate on my spiritual journey with this poem. Even though it is not in the meditation section, I feel that it is still very contemplative and meditative. Frost obviously has really thought about these two paths for awhile trying to characterize each one and make each one the way that it is supposed to be. I find the impact that the poem has on me very interesting. When I initially read the poem and presented it, I didn’t realize the depth of it, but the more I meditate on it, the more I realize the need for it in my life and the more I realize the association that it has with my spiritual journey. It is wonderful.
May 3rd, 2008 at 1:03 pm
I have always found the Psalms to be excellent sources for spiritual meditation. Of course the Psalms themselves are not only scripture but they’re also a type of poetry. Psalm 1 even provides the impetus for meditation of scripture. Speaking of the godly man it says “But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.” This is certainly a good encouragement for meditation.
For me poetry seems to naturally lend itself to meditation more than any other form of literature. I think it is for this reason that poetry has had and will continue to have an impact on my own meditative practice. The very act of focusing necessary for writing poetry is itself a form of meditation, and one that gets easier with practice. Hopefully, I will be able to continue this practice beyond this semester, at least the meditative aspects of it, if not the writing ones. I think it is something that would be very valuable for the rest of my life.
May 3rd, 2008 at 5:18 pm
Sorry this is late. Writing (poetry in particular) has always been my primary method of processing through experiences, thoughts, dreams, prayers, etc. It is helpful to share with others about these things, too, but I find myself censoring my true thoughts, ommiting parts, and forming my words so that I get out of them what I want. It sounds horrible, but i think we all do this to an extent, especially when discussing subjects we have very strong feelings about with people who aren’t as passionate or who completely disagree (religion and politics are the biggies).
Writing, however, is much more therapeutic and sincere. I rarely write for other people. My private scraps of paper, napkins, journals, and Word documents are the foundation of my spiritual life. They are where I connect with my inner-self and my higher-power. I meditate on a regular basis but I am truly THERE, tuned-in, when I physically put pen to paper.
I began writing long before I made a spiritual connection with my higher-power, so in contrast to Parini’s belief, I feel that poetry can similarily influence one’s spiritual life. This is where, like I said, we record our innermost thoughts, ones that we want to keep to ourself. And then we realize that there is a safe being with whom to share these with. This Being won’t judge, critisize, or edit your poetry. It will be honored and glorified by your form of praise.
May 3rd, 2008 at 8:24 pm
One way in which I have seen poetry directly affect my Christian faith is through the Psalms. As poems themselves, I have had many instances in which meditating upon these pieces of poetry has helped me focus upon God and the ways in which He is working in my faith. The imagery and diction in these poems also helps me, as we have discussed before, to create a metaphor of God, which my mind can understand and grasp. However, the way in which it is written also leaves me with a sense of grandeur, majesty, and mystery which still allows room for the unknown. This is helpful because it not only leaves me thinking and meditating but also reminds me to humble myself because I do not know everything about Him. Finally, my study of poetry has helped me learn how to better do an in depth reading of different works which has greatly influenced my ability to read and then thoroughly understand scripture.
May 4th, 2008 at 8:11 pm
Meditative poetry is something new to me. The poem that I wrote focused on my trash can, which seemed a little odd at first, but it developed into was something unintentional. I began with a physical description of the trash can but by the end I had an analogy, an image of God that I had never considered before. Through writing my poem I realized that God must not have a trash can because we, his flawed creation, did not end up there. Instead of throwing us away He developed a process to recycle us, to cleanse us and make us into new beings. Such an idea would not have materialized had I not taken the time to sit down, tune out the distractions, turn off the noises, and meditate on an object and its symbolic nature. The piece I wrote has been revised, but is still in need of work, which I’m perfectly willing to do. I think the analogy that was developed should be worked until the message is clear, that way a great deal of meaning can be found within it. Meditative poetry is foreign to me, but it is easy and full of surprises because you never know what you’re going to end up with and what you can learn by simply observing an everyday object.
May 5th, 2008 at 1:17 pm
The presence of poetry has taught me how valuable the discipline of offering my complete attention. A poet is a person who has the ability to maintain a disciplined focus. After learning how to thoroughly processes a poem, I find myself doing the same with the scriptures. Now I sit down at my desk, and read my bible more carefully. There have been moments where I will only read one chapter over and over in hopes of deciphering a new meaning. This influence has been revolutionary. Not only has it helped me continue developing a deeper relationship with God, it has offered me insight for myself. By paying close attention to poetry, I listen for the tone. The tone says a lot about the speaker and I am seeing depths of human nature I never saw before. In the same way, I can read the scriptures and see characteristics of God I was not able to see until now. The practice of poetry has influenced my Christian practice through challenging me to continue searching for more meaning. There is always more meaning waiting to be discovered.
May 5th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
Spring and Fall
(To a Young Child)
Well this poem seems to be a description of the work load / burden God put on man when he made him. The poem starts off by saying “Let us (said he) pour on him all we can:” To me this means that God was saying to give us as humans all the responsibility to take care of the world. We are to have the riches, and the troubles. God created us in his image and he wants us to be the load bearing creatures of the earth. We are to go to God when this load gets too big for us to bare. When we are restless and weary we need to go to God for help and guidance. He will walk us through the challenges of this world. That is how he intended it. The last line of this poem “May toss him to my breast.” This line only reinforces God’s intent on giving us the responsibility to watch over creation as a tool to drawl us closer to God.