Passion feeds upon obsessive thoughts and they can take over a person isolating them and drive them to drink and poor decisions. It is a long lonely road when courting troubles as a constant companion.
It took me a long time to understand what "the laying down of burdens" actually meant as a practical tool for taking control of the thoughts that have knocked me out and taken the wheel upon occasion in my life. I didn't understand what passion was if it wasn't uncomfortable and yet familiar baggage. Allowing ourselves to be driven insane by troubled thoughts is like choosing to take a relaxing vacation in a war torn country.
No one has to carry and nurture all the grief and sadness in the world. In spite of the fear mongering, it is the love, compassion and kindness that needs to be transported and utilized through our days and shared with those who cross our paths that is our power. These things weigh nothing because they are given and not acculturated and clutched. Yet this is just what we need to practice. Lean in and curate what is good in us.
Hafiz offers an option to choosing fear and rage. Instead, choose framing troubles and expose those nagging worries and destructive responses then medicate them with actions based in compassion and empathy. Clear away troubles and stop feeding the fear fire that burns making and the smoke screen to blur our vision, cloud our thinking and shield our hearts. This is not the kind of passion that goes the distance required for peace. No one in this life is truly alone and no one in this life is required to dwell upon how dreadful humanity can be. We have the capability now to weaponize and empower ourselves with choice like never before.
Thank you for listening.
Music: We were gifted Patti Smith as an artist. She is a goddess beyond all fashion and iconography. Smith is a real person and her visibility provides a strong presence for living authentically. Here she is unfolding and embraced in a very fluid and transient truth about empowerment through music. People Have The Power sung with Choir! Choir! Choir! in New York City. It can't be said enough. Two hankies.
The original post in this series of poems by Hafiz (including an addendum regarding the authenticity of these poems) can be found here. Also, my thoughts on this series a year into these poems, HERE.
The Gift: Poems by Hafiz and translated by Daniel Ladinsky can be purchased here.
My book can be purchased HERE. E-book HERE. The Season Two blogcasts with audio excerpts from my book begin HERE: in Behind The Lines. This reading of the book excerpts in a mixed media format is Season Two of this blog. These recorded excerpts are outside the chronological order in which the book was written. Podcasts with audio only beginning with episode 22 can be found HERE.
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