Writing Poetry is a Spiritual Experience

For me
writing poetry
is a spiritual experience.

I pray,
intoning the prayers
revealed by Baha'u'llah,
the Bab,
or 'Abdu'l-Baha.

I think,
I meditate,
I contemplate,
and I let min intuition find
the title,
or the first line,
or the rhyme.

I write
allowing my soul's insight
to discover
the rhythm,
the metaphors,
and the similes.


Visit My Portfolio @ Writing.Com

On the Fourth Day of Fast

At 73,
I Fast spiritually.

Day by day
I let go of old habits
and thoughts
that hold back
the progress of my soul.

Prayer by prayer
I place each tests
in the hands
of God's Glory.

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Winter Days

On beautiful winter days,
when the sky is blue
and the sun shines bright
my muse takes flight
when I hear a spiritual
or a gospel song;
it's at these moments
that I write
odes to the Glory of God.


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Listening to Spiritual Music

Listen to the joy
of praising the Lord
in song and watch the video
and your attitude will change
from depression to praise.


I also posted this in the journal, Writing in Snow, under the folder Awardicon Items, in my writing.com portfolio. Visit My Portfolio @ Writing.Com

spiritual Capabilities

Spiritual capabilities
allows humanity to discover
the mysteries of the surround universe.

We can chose the path we take,
and change our minds
when that path
is no longer working.

I also post this in the journal, Writing in Snow, under the folder Awardicon Items, in my writing.com portfolio. Visit My Portfolio @ Writing.Com

Search for Answers

Search for the answers
that satisfy both mind and soul
the human intellect is God's gift;
humanity must find answers that satisfy
both our scientific and spiritual curiosity.


This poem is also posted in the journal Writing in Snow, under the folder Awardicon Items, in my writing.com port. I am Prosperous Snow.

Midweek Reflection on Religion, Spiritual, and Inspiration

'Idal (Justice), 7 Raḥmat (Mercy), 173 BE - Wednesday, June 29, 2016 about 11:45 AM Pacific Daylight Time 

The writing.com newsletters arrived in my inbox today. The title of the Spiritual newsletter was "Spiritual but not Religious?" And discussed the difference between spirituality and religion. The title of the short story newsletter was "What Happened?" and discussed inspiration resulting from news stories. The questions at the end of the short story newsletter whether the news inspired the reader even if the story were bad.  

These two newsletters got me to thinking about what inspires me. After a few minutes of meditation I realized that some of my inspiration comes from news stories, my religion, and my quest for spirituality. I also receive inspiration from taking morning walks. However, it is my religion and quest for spirituality that produce the most inspiration. 

I am one of those people who is both religious and spiritual. I know that a person can feel spiritual awe if he or she is not religious, however, with me my spiritual  pursuits go hand-in-hand with my religions. I have found, that even when a news story inspires me, my spiritual beliefs tend to show up in my finished work. 

I Think I'm becoming a Hermit

‘Idál (Justice), 16 Raḥmat (Mercy), 171 BE - Wednesday, July 9, 2014 about 5:51 pm Pacific Daylight Time

I think I'm becoming a hermit. I go out only when I absolutely  have to and sometimes I even talk myself out of going out then. It didn't bother me until this afternoon, in fact I didn't even consider it a possibility until today. This morning I picked up my senior commodities and went to the grocery store. When I returned home, instead of getting ready to go to the Commemoration of the Martyrdom of The Bab, I changed into my house skirt and blouse. I made some blog entries and then at noon I said the Tablet of Visitation.

At the grocery store, I purchased a small container of deodorant because when I took my bath this morning I found out I was out. I specifically purchased the deodorant so that I could go out, but instead I remained home. I'll have to make more of an effort to get out because I don't think I like being a recluse. Sometimes I don't enjoy being around people, but that doesn't mean I enjoy being a hermit or a recluse.

I know, that despite opinions to the contrary, living in seclusion is not good for a person's spiritual development. On the journey of transformation an individual needs to interact with the rest of humanity because some of the soul's attributes can only be developed during those interactions. I have to make more of a effort to get out of my studio apartment and my shell.

The End of The Week

Jalál (Glory), 5 Asmá’ (Names), 170 BE - Saturday, August 24, 2013 about 4:20 PM Pacific Daylight Time

At the end of the week,
I watch the clouds moving
from west to east
as I contemplate the handouts
on self-care and happiness.

As I meditate,
I realize that grief is a chrysalis
in which transformation occurs,
but in order
to continue my spiritual and emotional growth,
I must
spread my wings and fly.

What is joy?

Jalál (Glory), 13 Kamál (Perfection), 167 BE – Saturday, August 13, 2011 about 3:30 PM Pacific Time

The August 10, 2011 edition of the writing.com spiritual newsletter asks, “What is joy?” My answer to that question is this. Joy is a spiritual attribute. Joy gives a person’s soul wings and helps an individual overcome any difficulty.

One of the things that give me joy is a summer shower. It rained this morning in Las Vegas, in my neighborhood anyway. I watch the gentle raindrops fall and I smiled. I inhaled the aroma of the cool summer shower and I laughed. The rain gave me joy. The rain made me happy.

My joy came from more then just the necessity of rain. We need rain in Las Vegas, but that is not why I smiled. I smiled because the rain is a blessing from God. I smiled because the rain reminded me of angels. It reminded me of angels because there is a saying about each raindrop being carried to earth by an angel.

What is joy? Joy is watching the raindrops fall. Joy is feeling the cool raindrops on my exposed face and arms. Joy comes from knowing I roll up my car windows before the rain started. Joy is watching the rain soak into the hard dry ground of my front yard.

Spiritual Silence

Jamál (Beauty), 2 Jalál (Glory), 168 BE – Sunday, April 10, 2011 about 5:18 PM Pacific Time

Have you ever noticed how spiritual and tranquil silence feels? This is especially true at midnight or in the morning when you are the only person awake. The normal house noises are hushed, while the outside noises are distant echoes that your mind can ignore.

At these times, you are alone perhaps you have a prayer book or scripture verses. You sit on a couch and open the book to your favorite prayer. Then you begin to read the prayer aloud or you may recite a verse you have memorized. As you intone the verse you can feel the presence of God, there is no doubt that the Creator exists and love you.

This is the best time to write poetry because you are open to the influence of God’s word. You sit down at the computer and begin to compose, because your mind and soul are in harmony with the universe, the words, lines, and stanzas of a poem come easily. The poem seems to flow from your soul, like a wave rolling onto a beach. After the poem is finished, then you are ready to begin your day refreshed and tranquil.

Making Lemonade – Part 1

Jamál (Beauty), 15 Mulk (Dominion), 166 BE – Sunday, February 21, 2010 about 1:03 PM Pacific Time

Life isn't easy and I don't think it's meant to be easy because in this world we develop spiritual attributes. These spiritual attributes cloth a person's soul (spirit) when the physical body dies and the soul ascends to the next world. Each individual encounters tests and difficulties during his or her lifetime in this world. These tests and difficulties help strengthen the spiritual attributes, which go with the soul when it separates from the physical body.

Sometimes it seems instead of encountering one test or difficulty at a time a person encounters an entire orchard of them. I'm walking through one of those orchards of test and difficulties now. I suspect I have an entire orchard of lemon trees (figuratively) planted in my backyard, so the only thing I can do now is make lemonade.

Sometimes I feel it's almost too much to deal with, but I don't think God tests a person beyond his or her capabilities. I think the best way to deal with this orchard of tests and difficulties is to take one tree (one test) at a time, which explains the title of this post. Over the next few day/weeks, I'm going to be looking at some of these test and difficulties on individual basis, all of which concern conditions many people confront at present or will confront in the near future.

Midweek sunset in Las Vegas

‘Idál (Justice), 7 Sharaf (Honor), 166 BE – Wednesday, January 06, 2010 about Sunset Pacific Time

I am sitting at my computer looking out my living room window. The setting sun transformed the hazy clouds into pastel fire. The day is ending and the western sky is burning bright with the beauty of evening.

Sunset is a spiritual time of day because it is time to reflect on the days events. It is time to bring myself to account. It is time to answer the hard questions. It is time to take a deep breath and say thank you for getting safely through the day.

Evening's burning joy
remembering some one's smile
whispering thank you.

Today my mother and I picked up four bags of food, two bags for each of us. We brought them home and I helped unpack them. I took out the peanut butter and my mother smiled. Mom likes peanut butter sandwiches. I like peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

Looking for things to be thankful for

Kamál (Perfection), 1 Sultán (Sovereignty), 165 BE – Monday, January 19, 2009 about 7:44 AM Pacific Time

In the past several months I have made daily entries in my gratitude journal. I am going to continue to make daily entries for the rest of 2009 and then I will decide if I need to continue the entries or I can go back to once a week. The entries consist of at least ten things I am grateful for that day.

The reason I am making daily entries is a combination of stress in my life, my mother's health and the economy. I have found that listing things I am grateful for helps me overcome depression. I cannot be depressed when I have so much to be thankful for.

Learning gratitude is part of spirituality and the process of transformation. I remember growing up, my Grandfather always state at least one thing he was thankful for when he said prayers at meal time. The only time I heard Grandpa pray was at mealtimes. However, I know he said prayers at other times as well. My Grandpa Newland was a spiritual and not a religious man.

Grandpa went to church with us when he could. He never judged other people by their religion. It did not matter to Grandpa what a person's religion was. Spirituality was more important to Grandpa then religion. While a person's religion may influence spirituality, spirituality and religion are not tied to each other. However, I suspect gratitude may have an affect on spirituality.

Spiritual Sunday: Making Time for God

Jamal (Beauty), 14 Sharaf (Honor), 164 B.E. - Sunday, January 13, 2008 about 4:09 PM PST

The year 2007 was very stressful for me. Beginning March 12 there were a lot of tests and difficulties in my life. After thinking back over 2007 as well as the year before, I came to several conclusions. One of the main conclusions I came to was that I needed to make time for God in my life. It's not that I wasn't saying the prayers revealed by Baha'u'llah and the Bab or reading the sacred scriptures. My problems was that I would read the scripture verses or the prayers and then go into what ever work I planned to do. I wasn't setting silently afterwards and meditating on them.

The sacred scriptures, whether they are prayers or scripture verses, have their greatest effect on the individual who meditates on them. I believe that the scriptures have their greatest effect on the person who meditates on them. Meditation on the verses of God is different from studying the sacred verses. In meditation one sits silently and thinks about the verses. A person may even repeat the verse over in his or her mind while meditating on it.

When I meditate on a scripture verse, I focus on the verse and the way it makes me feel. I read or repeat the verse over several time in my mind. While I'm meditating on a scripture verse the only thing I have is the book the verse is in and my glasses. I read the verse and then I sit silently for about five minutes or longer. After I finish meditation the I may or may not make a journal entry.

In 2008 I'm going to take the time meditate on the verses and prayers rather then just read them and get on with the day. This is how I'm going to make time for God. I think if I do that things will go better this year.

My Favorite Healing Prayer

Kamal (Perfection), 8 Sharaf (Honor) 164 B.E. - Sunday, January 6, 2008 about 9:03 PM PST

This is the first in a series of Spiritual Sunday essays.

My favorite prayer is the Long Healing Prayer revealed by Baha'u'llah. It took me a while to decided between this and another prayer which Baha'u'llah revealed. My Mother was in the hospital for quite a while last year. As a results I read this prayer slowly and aloud several times. When I read it, I focused on the words and how they made me feel.

When I read the Long Healing Prayer it calmed my worry about Mom. Whenever I read or recite any prayer revealed by Baha'u'llah, I get a spiritual feeling, but with the Long Healing Prayer the feeling is intensified.

Transformation the Theme of this Blog

2 'Ilm 164 B.E. - Tuesday, October 16, 2007 about 10:35 PM PDT

'Ilm, a new month has begun, a new nineteen day period to achieve the writing goals, the financial goals and the spiritual goals I've set for myself. That brought to mind the theme of this blog transformation and the butterfly. The butterfly is the symbol of both the soul and transformation.

The Butterfly and Transformation

The butterfly emerges from its cocoon a completely different creature from the larva that entered the pupa case. The larva was a creature of the earth, eating leaves and other plants to survive. The butterfly is a creature of the air, eating nectar. In the pupa case the larva goes through the transformation that creates the butterfly. This process isn't easy for the larva, it's stressful and difficult, but it's necessary for the larva to become a butterfly.

It's the same way with the human soul. The soul is a creation of God. It has the ability to reflect the attributes of God, but it can't do this without going through test and difficulties that bring out those attributes and let the soul fly.

Mashiyyat Stressful

Mashiyyat was a stressful month. Whether it was more stressful than any month since Baha begin 164 B.E. I'm not sure. It could be that the accumulation of stress finally got to me and I broke out in stress (literally). Anyway I decided that I'm going to do something about it and get the major problems solved that are causing the biggest stresses.

One thing I'm doing is setting aside specific times morning, afternoon and evening for prayer and meditation. I thought back to the period before all this stress started and realized that I no longer had specific time periods for prayer. I've usually gotten the obligatory prayer said, but I usually had to work it in my daily life instead of living my daily life so that I didn't have to "work it in". I've set A, B, and C priorities. The A priorities are spiritual and the other important goals are B priorities.

Solved the Mouse Problem

I've solved the mouse problem, at least temperarly. I think I'm going to have to either get a new mouse or move the one I have to a coffee stand so that the cord doesn't get tangled. I think that's the problem with the mouse, the cord gets tangled and the signals don't go through. Of course, moving the mouse, so that the cord remains straight, is only a temporary fix. I think I'll eventually have to get a new mouse.

Right now though I can use the mousekeys to move the pointer, click and drop and drag (I haven't tried this yet). Moving the mouse pointer with the key on the key pad isn't too bad. It's slow and I can't use the keys for numbers without extra key strokes. I'll use the number on the top of the regular keyboard. I usually use those number anyway so it isn't a big change. I've printed out all the instructions for using the keypad so their in front of me (just in case my short term memory decides to take a vacation on this).

Using the numbered keypad may be a good exercise in patience. It's great to solve a problem without help. I feel like I could solve any problem that confronts me. This was an interesting test, even if it was caused by a technological component rather than a spiritual component. I still haven't decided whether to remove the pass word from my log in and just let the computer start up without it. I don't suppose that's a good idea. I'll have to see how things go in the next few day before I know for sure.

It's not like there is anyone in the house I can't trust. The only other person here is Mom. I'm was going to set her up with a password to this machine so that she could use it to check her bank account. Her compute has the software to connect to the Internet it just doesn't have a long enough telephone cord.