Ode to Joy… cheerful again

The joyful state, the combined results all states of being bringing laughter to the soul, empathy to the heart and compassion to the mind. ‘Joy’ that comes from the mindful observation of nature and how it’s triggered by the slightest of phenomenon.. positive and negative, right and wrong, joy and sadness; for you can’t know one without its other. Such feelings can come from a variety of stimulus. For me, it’s more often than not, music. Music that captivates me and brings me deep within the confines of life, only to lift me to heights unimaginable by the confines of life.

Sir Gahmuret and the Lady Herzeloyde

Gahmuret and the Lady Herzeloyde are the parents of Parzival, who will one day find the Grail and ask the ‘noble question’ of the Fisher King. Upon the death of Gahmuret in battle, Herzeloyde abandons her kingdom, taking her son to a deep wood and raises him under nature’s cathedral in hopes that Parzival will never know the word ‘Knight’ or hears of this exclusive group out of fear that he’ll suffer the same fate as his father. But strange things happen in the dark woods especially when we find out that Merlin is lurking about.

Hey Joe

A friend of mine called one day and stated in a matter of fact tone, “you have to read this book; it will change your life”. The book was ‘The Power of Myth, by someone named Joseph Campbell. I was just divorced and trying to find my way in a strange new world after 13 years of marriage, a world in which I felt as one of the lost boys in Peter Pan. I was ready for something of substance but had doubts as to my friends implied assertion that this one book would open a new world of meaning to me. I was familiar with the works of Thomas Moore and M. Scott Peak so I wasn’t completely unacquainted with the idea of mythology as a psychological tool. But little did I know I was about to submerge into uncharted waters, pushing me intrinsically through the door into the abyss.

Mysticism Of The Grail

Joseph of Arimathea took from the Vessel a host made in the likeness of bread. As he raised it aloft there descended from above a figure like to a child, whose countenance glowed and blazed as bright as fire; and he entered into the bread, which quite distinctly took on human form before the eyes of those assembled there. When Joseph has stood for some while holding his burden up to view, he replaced it in the Holy Vessel.                                                            -The Quest for the Holy Grail, trans. Pauline Matarasso

Joseph of Arimathea comes down to us in history as the man who claimed the body of Jesus and buried him in his family tomb. But legend gives that he collected the blood of Jesus at the crucifixion and journeyed to what is now Glastonbury and founded the Abbey there, linking him to the Arthurian legend. The vessel or chalice he used is the vessel used at the last supper and is forever known by its proper name, the Holy Grail.

Silent Fluidity

Agua

There is something about the grace and serenity of water; it seems lazy and peaceful in one moment and then in the next, it shows great strength and power. Water is perseverance, patient, and adaptable; just think of the Colorado River creating the Grand Canyon. And most important of all, water is fluid… ever changing as the universe. Look up ‘fluid’ in any thesaurus and this is

Gahmuret and The Lady Herzeloyde… a Poem

An open door, a quick glance with peripheral eyes
A question’s asked, ‘Is there a fish about?’
Be quiet my wanting heart… but it’s too late, it sees its other
The mind can’t begin to understand what the heart knows.

If 6 Were 3, What I Long to Be- Act 18 & 27

Pure imagination, without form, the absence of ego, vertical, the strength of an oak, the rhyme between two words, the silence between two sounds, an open book, a lost manuscript, the knowing that knows it knows not, the rhythm in blues, Perceval in search of the Grail, a student of all, a teacher on call, a blue ocean, a joyful boat, a river that runs, a pond with no ripples, son of the light, a light in the dark, a smile, a good word, a horse with no reins, a blue falcon, the
left hand way, the still point, the dark side of the moon, a train in the night, acceptance, hope,

A Tale of Two Dragons and a Noble Heart

Society, have mercy on me
I hope you’re not angry if I disagree
Society, you’re a crazy breed
I hope you’re not lonely without me                     -Jerry Hannan, Eddie Vedder

I awoke one morning to the sun rising over the horizon where the tree line whispers secrets to the sky. With the aroma of coffee brewing in the air, I was thinking of this day and all it could bring. The possibilities were endless on such a morning. With a cup in hand, I went outside on the deck for my meditation. A gentle breeze brushed my face and I could hear a symphony of birds seducing my ears as streaks of the newborn sun lite the sky like a kaleidoscope.

Faith in Letting Go

Our pilgrim, Sir Perceval rides his trusted mare to the Grail Castle that as of yet, he knows nothing of. He lets go of the reins and the horse leads the way. This is the way of faith… a feeling of deep-seated intuition and wonder. Certainly there is fear present, the kind that can whither the soul but would the journey be worth it if there wasn’t any trepidation? Our hero knows that to handle any sense of dread, one must embrace it, turn it around to do one’s bidding on the road to the inner adventure.