An Eternal Light

An eternal light is described in Exodus in the course of setting up a mobile sanctuary while traveling though the wilderness.

This is a metaphor for our physical minds and bodies going through this world in this lifetime with a ner tamid, an eternal light within us at all times.

Last night looking up at the night sky I saw that a north wind was moving dark clouds shaped like a flock of great dark geese slowly passing overhead from north to south. And there too and was a young new moon shining between the moving clouds. Even when they seemed almost to cover her, you could always see her glow on their outer edges, and soon she was right out there clear again filled with gold light.

That eternal light, the ner tamid, is in us each all the time. Just look and you can see her light.

The Zohar (Book of Splendor) says that the great light comes out of the darkness. There can be no light without the darkness to reveal her.

                                   

Death

Feb. 10

At just this hour three years ago today, my father died and vanished. Gone into blue gray skies like disappearing ink. Three years gone except for memories, momentary visions feeling his presence and a few dreams in which I saw and talked with him and hugged him. Three years ago today my sweet Dad left this world for a better land, I hope, while I'm here in a car wash place waiting for my car which I'm hoping to sell. It's been a long time and it makes my heart ache a little as I sit here writing on my knee while eyeing the nylon stockinged leg of the dressy young woman seated to my left waiting for her car.

Oh, the contradictions in life, paradoxes and polarities, tragedies and ironies. I hope he's free of all this shit. I miss him. Life is sort of grim these days, but hey -- they're killing civilians and babies in Yugoslavia. Guys are sleeping on sidewalk grates in every American city, and I complain? I remember the intensive care unit in the hospital. Dad shuttered and left. (Gone)

Rumi:  To one who knows, death isn't bitter.
An earthquake opens the prison walls.
Do you think an escaping prisoner will complain
Of the damage done to the stone and marble work?
People will say, "So-and-so is dead. But you'll know how alive you've become. The soul soars when it's freed from its body. Like a sleeping convict in his cell dreaming of a rose garden, he knows he's dreaming and doesn't want to go back to his body dungeon. So he prays, "Let me keep walking here like a prince." God says, "Yes, your prayer is granted. Don't go back." He dies in his sleep and stays in that rose garden
with no regrets for what he left back in his prison cell.

Expect the best and most noble dishes
and the host will bring them out.
A mountain lifts its elegant head
like a guest who receives the dawn.

One might think this place would be fine if it weren't for dying. If there were no death, the world would be just a tangle of straw unthreshed in the field. No one who has died is grieving because of death. The only grief is not being well enough prepared for dying. No one objects to exchanging sour buttermilk for choice wine.

 -- Rumi Selections from Coleman's Bark's Feeling the Shoulder of the Lion

Winter In The Temple

First the white wolf appears and sits watching

                  In the snow and sun. Then an old friend

                  Padma Sambhava says hello again

                  All this at the crown of my head

All through the night the crash of melting snow

Falling from the roof

I dreamed of an angel flying to the throne of God

The angel’s wings, two lovers interlaced

Hear the lightning, See the thunder

So much heart and a radiant soul

When you’re nearby I know that I’m whole

Talents and skills spill off your plate

Morning ‘til night, must be your fate

Wherever you go people are touched

Animals too, they love you so much

This animal also is grateful to be

Blessed with your love from heavens above

Day after day is never the same

The trees in our yard are calling your name

And singing out praise to have you nearby

Me too, this blessing brings tears to my eye

And songs of love keep coming up

What luck! What luck! You’ve filled my cup

 

Your presence makes faith true

I fell for you before I knew

How magnificent you are

Did you come down from a star

To make us laugh and bring us home

Or just to tease us with your beauty

However it happened I heard the call

And here am I in your great hall

Sing your song and dance your dance

Go deep fly high and have romance

Of course you’re free, but please consider

Truckin’ with me for one more year, for one more day

One more lifetime dancing this way

Now here we are in this beautiful place

Blessed with love blessed with grace

O’ what a mystery, so full of wonder

Hear the lightning, see the thunder