Sunday, July 01, 2012

walt whitman's questions

there's not so much my mind can meander about during these past weeks. i  just tried to sort things out for myself. after work, at home, after tinkering with the new guitar and the ukulele, i just idly sat by and let time pass before me.

tried to introvert. or introspect. or go inside. within me. tried to go to the core of being.

the Old Masters and Sages often tell -- happiness is within.  pure happiness is within.

i endeavored to seek this inner joy.  unadulterated joy not caused by outward influences but emanating from the real Self. from a communion with one's true identity. one must spend time to do this.  one must devote time..  one must

we must.

one bleak, dreary, rainy, wet day just this past week, i sat alone in my humble little house.  i instinctively opened my copy of walt whitman's masterpiece, leaves of grass.  my eyes focused on a particular section in one of his poems there.  the poem is titled a song for occupations.  the lines were these --

why what have you thought of yourself?
is it you then that thought yourself less?
is it you that thought the President greater than you?
or the rich better off than you? or the educated wiser than you?

(because you are greasy and pimpled, or were once drunk,
or a thief,
or that you are diseased, or rheumatic, or a prostitute,
or from frivolity or impotence, or that you are no scholar
and never saw your name in print,
do you give in that you are any less immortal?)


i pondered over these, walt's questions, and they made me feel good when i honestly tried to answer these questions.  they made me smile inwardly.  and made me feel confident.

and on that day, that bleak, dreary, rainy, wet day, i felt assured

i am not any less immortal.

the day within me is fine. is warm. is bright. is cheerful.

i am not any less immortal.

4 comments:

christopherdossantos3@gmail.com said...

Namaste brother Sito, Walt is a great philosopher and writer. His pen dances across the tapestry of humanity showing us what it means to be.

I am the totality of all that exists. The beggar is my brother as are the ruler and thief.

Reaching out to the farthest expanses of my mind I search for my expanded self.

Another beautiful and thoughtful post brother, play a song on that guitar for me.

In Lak'ech brother Sito, prosper in truth live in love...

Anonymous said...

Yes!
You've got it right there my friend

Walt's timeless words just happened to let it shine once again,

as we all need from time to time...

: )

sito saguid said...

thanks brother for this. it has been said Walt had achived cosmic consciousness. that is why his songs sweep tbrough time and space. i love the term you used -- expanded self -- it is evident Walt has realized this.

sito saguid said...

Brad you said it right. Walt's words are timeless. As i noted in my reply to wait brother Chris, it could be because Walt had pierced the veil of
Maya. Thanks for the visit.