Selves

A meditation on being

Many, yet only one.

There is a self of ages,

That presents differently

With the years;

There is a self of roles,

Concerned with works

And ranks;

There is a self of allegiances,

Bound to countries and clans,

And many more, according to the

Situations where one might say,

This is me.

Yet all of these are akin, for all

Will pass away.

One Self alone encompasses

The spectrum, is there at the

Boundaries, its extent immeasurable.

It is not moved by time or night,

And does not pass away.

Only a patient repose can summon it;

Only a willing acceptance can make it

Speak its name.

Author's Note

Be still and know.

Reviews

[kentuck14]

"In him we live and move and have our being."

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Tom. A scripture I quote to myself quite often.

[Chris Shaw]

You will be remembered for one thing only. How well you loved and how well you were loved in return. Nothing else matters. You come into this world with nothing, and you leave with nothing. We would do well to remember that. Interesting thoughts John.

Chris

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, Chris. As it was said once, the world is too much with us. Outer concerns dominate our attention early on, and we forget what really matters. Thankfully, it is always there, awaiting our return.

[Lorry]

Isn't it surprising how little we think about out true self, the one unadorned by excuses anf spin? The one who knows our darkest regrets, mistakes and misdemeanors. Surely we should be striving to be more like that self than all the others combined. Yet perhaps we find it awkward to accept someone who knows us, and is us, inside out.
This is wonderfully written, with a depth that is almost another dimension...just like that elusive self. Superb.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks. You have grasped my meaning. As the years pass, we get tangled in the concerns of the outer selves and forget the one that matters, which is what we really want.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

wow, "Breathe deep"
i felt and hummed Moody Blues as i read this stunning write.
talk about introspection and looking for that peaceful self, the one that will live on when the material ones die...love is the spirit and that is the spirit that lasts...

j.

[John the Baptist]

Thanks, J. Indeed, I believe that Self is what all of the religions have been talking about all these years. The problem is that they have all gotten hung up in their dogmas.