Mystic Musings: Lent 3/26
“I think the moon is pregnant again. I hope she won’t sue me this time.”
Tukaram, 17th century Indian mystic and poet
I will admit that this post feels dangerous to write. Tukaram’s whimsical poem, if taken literally, is certainly offensive in an American society that promotes bodily integrity. But the poem is not a justification for taking advantage of other people. It is a poem about our basic human nature.
Photo by Huanrui He @huan1997
At our core we are creators. We each have a deep impulse to create and connect. At the most basic level is our sexual desire whether we are creating another human being or a deeper bond of love or an intimate connection. But that is just the most obvious sign that we are creative beings.
I have been writing and preaching for nearly four decades now. I have engaged in a sort of stream-of-consciousness journaling practice when I am exploring what to write or preach next. At the risk of oversharing I can tell when I am onto something. My body gets that tingly feeling, the same tingly feeling I get when I see a woman who ignites that special surge of energy in me. Of course, when I am writing I know it is not about sexual desire; it is about discovering the creative energy much like a metal detector discovers a rare coin under the earth.
Photo by Kalwen Sun @ksun
I was sharing some of my writing ideas with a friend yesterday and she suddenly stopped me and said, “Brian, I just need to let you know that I suddenly got chills running up and down my spine.” I knew I felt that kind of energy when I was talking about it and it was great hearing that her body also registered that energy that comes along with creativity. It was a great confirmation that I was on the right track. Two of us got tingly, but not for each other!
My best read of Tukaram’s whimsical line, “I think the moon is pregnant again,” is about giving in to our creative desires and impulses. We are meant to create beauty. And life. And love. How often do we shut those impulses down because they feel like we are coloring outside of the lines? How often do we bypass creative opportunities because our fear of offending overrides our need for connection?
Disclaimer: In no way is this blog intended to give permission to violate the bodily integrity of others. This poem is about our deep human need to connect with beauty and create life and love. Violating another person is an offense to Tukaram’s sensibility.
Sit quietly. Breathe deeply. Ponder these questions:
What do you already do that satisfies your need to be creative?
Are there activities that “make your body tingle”? Are you engaging in them? If not, what barriers would you need to remove to step into your own creativity?
What makes you feel most alive? Are you satisfied with your level of engagement?