This Poem was Submitted By: Regis L Chapman On Date: 2006-01-27 18:51:10 . . . Click Here To Mail this Poem to a Friend!

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substratus

pushing movement I am supporting a stop I am not yet approaching fast in air I am force itself, bent I am underfoot, the top I am not worry rises to care I am all of this, a plus I am now we unknown, dare I do not not a pie in the sky I am changing, it must I am not you and I I am or something that seems I am not here, there and everywhere I am a subtle suchness dreams I am not it IS all, substratus finally I am

Copyright © January 2006 Regis L Chapman

Additional Notes:
I am reading an intensely left-brained book called "Ask The Awakened- The Negative Way"' by Wei Wu Wei (a pen name which means, I not, I am, I am not- funny, eh?) and he examines the negative path to enlightenment. It is a path tread well by those with understanding. I do not count myself yet among them, however, it's interesting that he could use the left brain to force the right brain to consider it's position. He uses a repetitive and yet subtly different each time method of explaining how it works. This is also the path of Jnana yoga. Neti Neti they call it- negation of all unreal things. I alternated the pairs of opposites, except two. I wonder if you can guess why? I am in a tradition called the gurkula system of teaching, and much spiritual teaching is about resolving pairs of opposites. This I can see played out in my daily life and relationships. I am learning to thread my way through the maze, with ever growing awareness and appreciation for the process itself. I am becoming free of my need to know all up front. One must have direct understanding of the truth- to become it, not simply understand what is correct. I hope you enjoy the process of deciphering this within yourself. Om, DurgaDas


This Poem was Critiqued By: James C. Horak On Date: 2006-02-02 23:04:57
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.96154
I am old to this journey, my youthful aspirant. I have seen men attempt to gauge a world without evil, the greatest folly of all. I have seen men deny there are others better...coming to believe, in all things, the greatest self-deceit. Witness those monks who tempt the spine to behave as would a cobra...solely to enter the abandon of woman in coitus, ending in lewd sneer that will not leave their face. There are perfections, but the will must remain poised in the nobility of wholesome intention to realize models that persist past illusion. Otherwise nothing is manifested, brought from indealization into unperplexed being. Men tasting virtue as well as love from those that come to their bed. Women unscornful of their lover's intentions. Only the things remarkable to discovery give life value. All else is practiced child's play, the drawing of breath to lungs untrained to hold air. You are wrong to grant polarity to mind, to sublimate the tear between consciousness and its broken brother. Only in unity of both minds is gain obtained. Only in unified consciousness can the models the mind is able to contain be manifested. You are taught dichotomy to make you more willing to yield to enslavement, to laud such things as ambivalence and loss of personal accountabilities. To accept the yoke of knowing one thing and living another. All you pursue is aimed solely at making you better to serve another. I pray you see this before your life force is spent to any degree such that your promise of pursuit more worthwhile to your self is much lessened. For when you come to finally be on the right path, your wait will be patient on the student that prepares for the master realizing that one is no more found by looking than is a good wife. JCH


This Poem was Critiqued By: Mark Andrew Hislop On Date: 2006-02-02 14:43:27
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.60000
Reeg Nice to see you back. Lovely flowing piece. Good luck at the ashram Mark
This Poem was Critiqued By: arnie s WACHMAN On Date: 2006-02-01 17:09:34
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.00000
Well I read that while I was taking a psychiatry course and it completely screwed my mind. I then had to unlearn what I read. Now back to normal - whatever that is. I am befuddled by this piece and then thought it read better without the infiltrating "I am" etc. Of course you know that Jesus supposedly said "I am" when asked if he was G-d. This statement is totally blasphemous 'cuse there can only be one. So, the title is interesting and fits the piece. Namaste.
This Poem was Critiqued By: Thomas H. Smihula On Date: 2006-01-30 07:18:04
Critiquer Rating During Critique: 9.40000
Moving forward and stopping at nothing, yet as one bends there is modification in the view. Walked upon but understanding is present. The future holds what it does and will not be altered yet dreams reflect grandure. This is what I saw and you comments were important for the use of the I am not, I am. This is the type of piece that makes the reader ponder on thoughts. Doesn't need spectacular words just simple ones that require thought. I liked it especially after the comments. Somehow if you could put something in the title that references the I am, I am not then comments wouldn't be needed. Just a thought. Thanks for sharing.
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