“Perhaps everything terrible is in its deepest being something helpless that wants help from us.” Rilke
I spoke on my old blog (lothlauraien.com) about reading the incredible book containing letters from Rainer Maria Rilke to a young poet seeking advice. It is a source of HUGE inspiration for me and a book I have returned to many times since.
One of these letters came to mind while writing my last post, one that I feel really fits with the theme of Embrace the Darkness and the Rumi quote I used.
I thought it worth posting more of Rumi’s poem and an excerpt from the Rilke letter. I hope you find as much inspiration in these incredible words as I do!
Taken from Letter Eight of Rainer Maria Rilke’s Letters to a Young Poet:
“How should we be able to forget those ancient myths that are at the beginning of all peoples, the myths about dragons that at the last moment turn into princesses; perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us once beautiful and brave. Perhaps everything terrible is in its deepest being something helpless that wants help from us.
So you must not be frightened if a sadness rises up before you larger than any you have ever seen; if a restiveness, like light and cloudshadows, passes over your hands and over all you do. You must think that something is happening with you, that life has not forgotten you, that it holds you in its hand; it will not let you fall. Why do you want to shut out of your life any uneasiness, any miseries, or any depressions? For after all, you do not know what work these conditions are doing inside you.
Why do you want to persecute yourself with the question of where all this is coming from and where it is going? Since you know, after all, that you are in the midst of transitions and you wished for nothing so much as to change. If there is anything unhealthy in your reactions, just bear in mind that sickness is the means by which an organism frees itself from what is alien; so one must simply help it to be sick, to have its whole sickness and to break out with it, since that is the way it gets better.”
Rainer Maria Rilke
Ghazal 2133
wake up, wake up
this night is gone
wake up
abandon abandon
even your dear self
abandon
there is an idiot
in our market place
selling a precious soul
if you doubt my word
get up this moment
and head for the market now
don’t listen to trickery
don’t listen to the witches
don’t wash blood with blood
first turn yourself upside down
empty yourself like a cup of wine
then fill to the brim with the essence
a voice is descending
from the heavens
a healer is coming
if you desire healing
let yourself fall ill
let yourself fall ill
Rumi, Fountain of Fire- Translated by Nader Khalili
It requires discipline and courage to embrace every part of ourselves. One tool that may help in this undertaking, is to meditate on what the idea of letting yourself fall ill means to you at this time. Really allow the parts of you that may get lost in the chatter of your daily life speak to you. Listen and hear what it is they say.
I have created this month’s meditation guide- or more correctly, contemplation exercise- using the incredible words of Rumi, written above. My hope is that this will help to support you through your exploration of ‘Embrace the Darkness’. The more times you repeat the exercise, the more you will gain from it- weekly is great, daily is even better!
- Keep a notebook beside you so any insights- thoughts, memories, feelings…- that come up, can be noted in the moment
- As usual, be sure to find a quiet space in which you won’t be disturbed, and ensure you are comfortable and warm
- Listen to the beautiful words of Rumi, allowing them to penetrate deep within
- When the audio is complete, allow yourself a few minutes of silence in which to sit and feel
- When you are fully present again, note down any insights so that you can explore these realisations in-depth when you feel it is appropriate
Wishing you all the best in your explorations- as ever, get in touch at resoundingpower(AT)gmail(DOT)com if you have any questions or want to share any experiences!
With love and light,
Laura.x
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Resounding Power 
Very nice blog Laura , I did enjoy it very much !
Thank you for visiting my space .
Blessings .
Thank you SO much for that! I absolutely adore your site and beautiful creations. Love and light.x
You are welcome dear Laura …
Blessings ❤ 🙂
spirituality reins