People of faith
believe that god has a plan,
a grandiose scheme
for every monkey and man.
Vessels of faith
don’t find it odd
to be a crystal glass shattered
by the hand of god.
Monkeys of faith,
we know that we’re moved,
just chess board pawns
who believe that we choose.
Miracles of faith,
we seem all alone,
which is the absolute truth
because we’re all one.
Delusions of faith
in a mind that seems real
to a schizophrenic god
who wants only to feel.
We’re expressions of faith,
mind projections on a wall,
what happens will happen
despite us all.
Despite all the trying,
there’s no sense in crying.
Despite all the mess,
we’re a perfect success.
Trail Wood,
1/15
Your poetic reflection captures a nuanced perspective on faith, the concept of divine will, and the existential experience of being. It weaves together themes of destiny, individual agency, and the interconnectedness of all beings. Let’s explore these themes further.
Divine Plan and Individual Agency
The idea that “god has a plan” for every being is a central tenet in many faith traditions. It suggests a grand design, a cosmic script that guides the universe and all within it. This perspective positions individuals as actors in a pre-written play, where each has a role determined by a higher power. The metaphor of being “chess board pawns” aptly illustrates this sense of guided movement, where personal choice is intertwined with or overshadowed by divine orchestration.
Vulnerability and Surrender in Faith
The imagery of being “a crystal glass shattered by the hand of god” speaks to the vulnerability and surrender inherent in many expressions of faith. It implies a willingness to be broken and reshaped according to divine will, embracing the trials and transformations as part of a larger, meaningful narrative.
Oneness and Isolation
The line “we seem all alone, which is the absolute truth because we’re all one” paradoxically acknowledges the feeling of isolation while affirming the spiritual belief in oneness. It touches upon a profound spiritual truth found in many traditions: the notion that, while we may feel alone in our individual experiences, we are intrinsically connected as part of a greater whole.
The Nature of God and Perception
Describing god as “a schizophrenic god who wants only to feel” is a poignant expression of the human attempt to understand the nature of the divine, often perceiving it through the lens of human emotion and psychology. It reflects the struggle to comprehend a being or force that is both immensely powerful and deeply enigmatic.
Fatalism and Acceptance
The concluding lines “what happens will happen despite us all” and the
acceptance of being “a perfect success” despite the perceived chaos and mess of life, resonate with a sense of fatalism intertwined with optimism. It suggests that the unfolding of events is beyond individual control, yet there is an inherent perfection in the way things transpire. This viewpoint embraces the idea that, in the grand scheme of things, everything has its place and purpose, even if it’s not immediately apparent.
Expressions of Faith as Mind Projections
The notion of being “mind projections on a wall” encapsulates the concept of life as a projection of divine consciousness. It suggests that our experiences and existence are manifestations of a higher mind’s imagination or thought. This perspective aligns with the idea that reality is shaped by a force greater than ourselves, and our understanding of it is limited to what is projected onto the canvas of our perception.
Reflection and Individual Interpretation
Your poem invites reflection on the nature of faith, the role of the divine in shaping destiny, and the paradox of feeling isolated in a universe where everything is interconnected. It challenges us to consider how our beliefs shape our perception of reality, our sense of agency, and our understanding of the divine.
We are encouraged to ponder these themes and how they resonate with our own experiences and beliefs. How do concepts of divine will and individual agency coexist in your understanding? How does the notion of being part of a grand, interconnected whole influence your perspective on life’s trials and triumphs?
Your poem beautifully articulates the complex and often paradoxical nature of faith and existence, offering a deep and contemplative view of our place in the cosmos.
Summary
Your poem presents a rich tapestry of ideas exploring faith, divine will, and the nature of existence. It touches upon themes like destiny and individual agency, suggesting a grand cosmic plan where each being plays a preordained role. The imagery used in the poem speaks to vulnerability and surrender, a willingness to be shaped and transformed by a higher power. It also delves into the paradox of isolation and interconnectedness, highlighting a spiritual belief in universal oneness despite feelings of solitude.
The poem characterizes the divine as an enigmatic force, perceived through the lens of human emotion, reflecting our attempts to understand its nature. It proposes a fatalistic view of life’s events, suggesting an inherent perfection in the unfolding of the universe, despite the apparent chaos. The concept of life as a projection of divine consciousness is explored, indicating that our experiences and existence are manifestations of a higher mind’s imagination.
The poem invites us to reflect on the nature of faith, our perception of reality, and our understanding of the divine. It challenges us to consider how our beliefs shape our sense of agency and our interpretation of life’s trials and triumphs.
Glossarium
- Divine Will and Individual Agency: The interplay between a preordained cosmic plan and personal choice.
- Vulnerability and Surrender in Faith: The willingness to embrace trials and transformations as part of a divine narrative.
- Oneness and Isolation: The paradoxical feeling of solitude in a universe where everything is interconnected.
- Nature of the Divine: The perception of the divine as an enigmatic and powerful force, often seen through human emotions.
- Fatalism and Acceptance: The belief that events unfold according to a grand design, with an inherent perfection in their occurrence.
- Projections of Divine Consciousness: The idea that our existence and experiences are manifestations of a higher mind’s imagination.
“Faith is the bird that feels the light when the dawn is still dark.” – Rabindranath Tagore
In the canvas of the cosmos, we paint,
With colors of faith, without restraint,
In each stroke, a story, a saint,
In this divine art, our hearts acquaint.
We are vessels, yet we are whole,
In this cosmic dance, we play our role,
In faith’s embrace, we find our soul,
In the divine’s hands, we are consoled.
We invite you to share, to express,
In your journey of faith, do you confess,
A dance with destiny, a divine caress,
In this tapestry of life, what do you profess?
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