rama devi (Nina Marshall)

rama devi (Nina Marshall)

The poetry(word music), essays and creative works shared here explore wide-ranging topics relating to mystic spirituality, unconditional compassion and service, the spiritual path and a holistic world view.
...
Read More »
Page Views
31,472
Content
280
Fans
106
Contributor since
5/7/2010
View : All Articles
Displaying Results 1 - 200 (of 280) for All Content
Next »
  • Seeds Break Open
    A short nonet poem about the transformational nature of problems, the power of perspective and an optimistic point of view towards trials and obstacles.
  • Compassion is the Noblest Key
    A triolet poem on compassion. A triolet is a poem of eight lines written in iambic tetrameter with a rhyme scheme of abaaabab. The fourth and seventh lines are the same exact line as the first. The eighth line is the same exact line as the second.
  • Mandela's Gift
    A four-lined tribute to the power of compassion that blossoms from roots of suffering.
  • Mystical Poetry
    A succinct poetic style (ABC poem) in alliterative tribute to the mystical poets Rumi and Hafiz.
  • Paradoxical Polarity
    A sonnet exploring the paradoxical relationship between suffering and bliss.
  • The Power of a Solitary Tree
    Through the metaphor of a solitary tree growing on top of a mountain, this poem explores the powerful impact of sacrifices made by solitary souls (like Gandhi, Mandela) who face extraordinary circumstances.
  • Gratitude
    Part Sixth in a crown of seven heroic sonnets - each part is linked along the stages of the spiritual path and is written from the point of view of the disciple addressing the spiritual Master.
  • The Disciple Continues
    Part Seven in a crown of seven heroic sonnets - each part is linked along the stages of the spiritual path and is written from the point of view of the disciple addressing the spiritual Master.
  • Serenity Comes Only with Surrender
    Part five in a crown of seven heroic sonnets - each part is linked along the stages of the spiritual path and is written from the point of view of the disciple addressing the spiritual Master.
  • Journey to the Peak
    Part three in a crown of seven heroic sonnets--each part is linked along the stages of the spiritual path and is written from the point of view of the disciple addressing the spiritual Master.
  • Surrender, Suffering and Spirituality
    Part four in a crown of seven heroic sonnets - each part is linked along the stages of the spiritual path and is written from the point of view of the disciple addressing the spiritual Master.
  • Called on Pilgrimage
    Part two in a crown of seven heroic sonnets--each part is linked along the stages of the spiritual path and is written from the point of view of the disciple addressing the spiritual Master.
  • The Seeker's Beginning
    Part one in a crown of seven heroic sonnets - each part is linked along the stages of the spiritual path and is written from the point of view of the disciple addressing the spiritual Master.
  • Ode to Silent Eloquence
    A sonnet-ode to the mystic muse that speaks from the voice of silence.
  • Road Signs of Truth
    Philosophical poem. A free-verse exploration of being spiritually present in every moment.
  • Ode to the Music Rest
    This shakespearean style sonnet ode to the music rest metaphorically explores how the power of silence enhances art (and life).
  • Flowering Compassion
    Flowering of Compassion is a philosophical, reflective, metaphorical poem in Sonnet form.
  • Global Community
    Reflective poetic quatrains exploring globalization, communication and the importance of honoring the interconnection of all life.
  • Subtle Influences
    A four line philosophical/spiritual Naani poem on gradual, steady spiritual progress.
  • Music in Nature
    A humble, three-lined poem (based on artwork).
  • Altruism is All-True
    This short essay explores the power of selfless actions to liberate us from the grip of desire and illuminate the truth of universal unity.
  • A Nonet for Thanksgiving
    A nonet about gratefulness for Thanksgiving. (Nonet is a nine line poem with descending syllable count from 9 to 1)
  • The Art of Treasuring Life
    Editorial essay commenting on global movements for change, like Occupy and Arab Spring, and the need for us to shift our perspective on wealth--treasuring values, wealth of character, and life experience above material goods.
  • Haiku (Winter's White Canvas)
    Metaphorical haiku on Winter as a symbol of death.
  • Devotional Flowers
    Succinct senryu poem on devotion
  • Distilled Truth
    Simple succinct philosophical commentary in free verse style.
  • Humanity, It's Simple.
    A spiritual reminder in naani form
  • (senryu) Infinite Splendor
    Succinct ironic senryu
  • Compassion
    Four-line philosophical (spiritual) commentary.
  • Masters of Silence
    A free verse, metaphorical poem exploring communication through music and the mastery of silence.
  • The Missing Piece
    A flash fiction story of a young girl's spiritual rite of passage.
  • Latitude of Attitude
    A succinct, aphoristic/didactic short poem about gratitude.
  • Occupy Wall Street Movement
    A 'Minute' poem on the current Occupy Wall Street (and elsewhere) Protest Movement. A minute poem is a rhyming verse consisting of 12 lines in iambic meter with 3 stanzas of 8,4,4,4 syllables. The rhyme scheme is aabb, ccdd, eeff.
  • A Light was on in the Room
    A spiritually-flavored, fictional short story with a hint of Shamanistic influence.
  • Haiku (white Himalayan)
    Mystically flavored haiku.
  • Liberating Change
    Free verse exploration of personal transformation, spiritual evolution and the tug-of-war between optimism and pessimism.
  • The Open Road
    Free verse exploring the faith of a Pilgrim. (Didactic tone)
  • Kindness
    Three-line commentary on kindness
  • The Death of Selfishness
    A four-line Naani poem about spiritual transcendence over ego.
  • Self Portraits
    Free verse musing on emotional states and spirituality.
  • Philosophy of Unfaltering Faith
    Philosophical Quatrains on Faith
  • A Wrapped Gift
    A succinct Naani poem with a reflective (philosophical) spiritual message.
  • The Sincere Student
    A story in rhymed poetic verses with a twist of humor and a moral.
  • *Hugs*
    A free verse poem on the art of hugging
  • Life is like a Video Game
    A playful, didactic series of naani style poems linked along a theme thread of obstacles as gifts in disguise.
  • Talk About Silence (Speaking of Obstacles)
    Philosophical-spiritual Quatrains with subtly satirical tone. Theme: "talking about silence"
  • Imagining Meditation
    A succinct, whimsical naani-style poem on the practice of meditation.
  • Love's Cliche Bouquet
    About Divine Love, but a bit out of the box for me -- Whimsical and didactic poem on how romantic love breeds sorrow --either when unfulfilled or when broken or lost. Only spiritual love brings permanent bliss.
  • Think Green
    A succinct, aphoristic style poem of three lines.
  • Peaceful Heart of Compassion
    A simple naani-style poem of four lines. The word Naani is a Telegu word meaning: 'For one and all'.
  • Enlightenment is Contagious
    A sonnet about spiritual awareness, silence and meditation.
  • The Place of Unknowing
    Free verse philosophical musing on spiritual awareness, meditation and silence.
  • Poet-tree
    A succinct haiku poem about a powerful tree and life's subtle poetry.
  • Hurricane Irene
    A poem for Hurricane Irene.
  • The Wise Beggar
    A true story of a memorable encounter with a 'wise beggar' three decades ago, while growing up in New York City.
  • Less is More
    This acrostic poem explores the message 'Less is More' and the need to shift our collective value system. An acrostic poem spells out a vertical message in the first letter of each line.
  • Hopes and Laments of a Spiritual Aspirant
    A short free verse portrait of spiritual longing.
  • Ripening on the Tree of Life
    A philosophical, spiritual sonnet.
  • Universal Chorus
    Haiku. Alone is not alone, it is ALL ONE.
  • Polarized Unity
    Reflective Haiku
  • Unified Source
    Haiku
  • Seasonal High-ku
    This is a poetic-essay on theme threads of impermanence and continuity in a series of seasonal haiku and one commentary 'coda'.
  • Forest Eavesdropping
    A simple, modern haiku .
  • The Art of Active Acquiescence
    A free verse poem on spiritual perception.
  • Communication Creates the Foundation of Culture
    This essay explores the connection between communication and culture, and the influential impact globalized Internet has--and will have--on collective cultural trends and consciousness around the globe.
  • The Pace of Progress
    A tanka style poem about global cyber-communication and cultural influence.
  • Illumined Mind
    A nonet style poem exploring spirituality, silence and truth.
  • Contemplation
    A succinct, metaphorical, naani style poem about the spiritual importance of silent meditation.
  • Luminosity
    The spiritual path leads to the pinnacle of perception through which all existence appears worthy of worship.
  • True Laughter, the Teller of Tales
    This whimsical, rhymed story-in-a poem is a parable-like story about storyteller who travels the world until he finds a suitable audience.
  • Kissing Cosmic Mysteries
    A poem about awareness and spirituality.
  • Phoenix
    Free verse poem on Faith.
  • Wishes Are like Ripe Cherry Blossoms
    A metaphorical mirrored-nonet-style poem about how desires are the harbingers of disappointment due to impermanence.
  • First Step to Enlightenment
    A didactic, spiritual, metaphorical poem based on the artwork's imagery. Knowing one is trapped is the first step in the journey towards release.
  • Twisted Labyrinth
    A free verse descriptive commentary on love and hate.
  • True Love
    A short commentary poem on the nature of true love.
  • Tenants and Tenets of the Heart
    Contemplative Quatrains: commentaries on compassion.
  • The Elder
    A succinct metaphorical poem on aging.
  • Sacred Smile
    Short, contemplative, aphoristic poem (a senryu-like style).
  • Instruments of Divine Love
    Short, metaphorical, contemplative poem.
  • Extraordinary Attitude
    Aphoristic poetic commentary
  • Senryu on Devotion
    A senryu on the path of devotion to a guru
  • Victorious Surrender
    Contemplative, rhymed couplets.
  • Conscious Compassion
    A whimsical, philosophical word play.
  • Mona Lisa's Much-debated Secret
    Mona Lisa's enigmatic smile has been debated for centuries. This rhymed, metered poem explores the notion of 'higher octave soul-talk' with a meaning beyond words. A sub theme between the lines is the transcendental genderless-ness of a realized soul.
  • Paradox of Hope
    A philosophical, contemplative series of quatrains on the paradox of hope and despair.
  • Why Wait?
    Succinct commentary poem.
  • The Mystic Poet, Hafiz
    Hafiz was a Persian Sufi Mystic and lyric poet whoses sense of humor combined in exquisite recipe with divine love, witty satire and skillful punning, spiritual intoxication and insight, complex metaphor, and a bold tendency to expose hypocrisy.
  • Of Grace and the Art of Dying
    A sonnet about the art of dying peacefully, based on my experiences counseling dying patients at Amrita Hospital in India.
  • The Mystic Poet Rumi
    Rumi had the profound ability to use external imagery from the ordinary world to open the heart and elevate consciousness to a sublime inner awareness.
  • Disarming the Mind
    A didactic, philosophical sonnet exploring the connection between collective consciousness, the mind's battle with negativity and the external manifestation of violence in the outer world.
  • Insight's Garland
    A Shakespearean sonnet exploring a spiritual theme comparing the beauty of wisdom to the beauty of youth.
  • Chords of Love
    Metaphorical free verse musings (a bit of whimsy).
  • Internal Wellsprings
    A sonnet for Spring and Eternity.
  • Awakening Melody of Spring
    A rhymed and metered poem about spring as a symbol of rebirth and transcendence.
  • The Importance of the Feminine
    This brief essay is a heart-felt response to a powerful video by Guy Hendricks, Arjuna Ardagh and Conscious Men around the world, which communicates relevant and important messages concerning balance, mutual respect, forgiveness and healing.
  • Cooperation VS. Competition
    An essay on the integral unity of life and the urgent need to shift our way of viewing the world, to embrace the concept of concerned cooperation rather than self-centered competition.
  • Healing the Water's Of Japan
    Consciousness has energy. Collective consciousness has exponential energy. Group prayer can be a powerful force for healing. Dr. Masaru Emoto asks us all to unite in prayer at 1 noon today.
  • Profit
    Acrostic with a spiritual message
  • Tragedy
    A contemplative senryu about the nature of tragedy.
  • Circles of Infinity
    A simple poetic observation.
  • Pristine Vision
    Didactic metaphorical free verse on surrender and renunciation.
  • Our Greatest Pleasure
    Contemplative, philosophical tanka about the relationship between joy and pain.
  • Helping Japan
    An editorial Essay concerning how we can help our brothers and sisters in Japan. The world is one big family. What happens to one place happens to all of us.
  • Altruistic Affluence
    Short naani style poem. The theme is obvious but worthy of repeating..
  • Singing Grass
    Free verse with spiritual overtones.
  • Bubble of Oblivion
    A rhymed acrostic on collective karma and global unity.
  • Inspiration
    A contemplative senryu
  • Mind-windows
    Philosophical tanka
  • Truth is Non-verbal
    A succinct commentary.
  • Serenity
    A playful free verse on the path towards peace.
  • Awareness is Life's Art
    A Rondeau poem about spirituality. For those who do not know- A Rondeau is a highly musical French form of poetry consisting of fifteen lines with three stanzas: a quintet, a quatrain, and a sestet and a aabba aabR aabbaR.
  • Divine Signature
    Free verse style poem on divine love as the author of every atom.
  • Pure Love's Pulse
    A "minute' poem on Divine Love.
  • Wealth
    Didactic, contemplative free verse on true wealth.
  • Talk About Silence
    A philosophical free verse about silence and kindness. :)
  • Moving Mountains - a Personal Essay on Faith
    Memoirs of initial years living in India with my guru Amma.
  • (senryu) Human Arrogance
    A succinct senryu style poem about the collective karma of human arrogance.
  • Greatness of Humility
    An essay on the value and greatness of humility as an asset along the spiritual path.
  • Ode to Martin Luther King Jr
    Rhymed Quatrains in tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.
  • Spiritual Chorus
    Didactic free verse on spiritual unity.
  • Forest Song
    Nature's symphony
  • Lustrous Truth
    A short contemplative Naani poem.
  • Thirsty Fish
    The proverbial thirsty fish...
  • Of Stars and Wisdom's Wheel
    Contemplative spiritual Sonnet
  • Higher Perspective
    Contemplative Sonnet
  • Unknowable Mystery
    Aphoristic poem on Wisdom and life's mystery
  • Mirrors of the Sky
    Short reflective tanka
  • Drowning in Devotion
    Short reflective poem about the spiritual path of Bhakti (devotion)
  • Of Now and Happy New Years
    A sonnet about celebrating each new 'now'.
  • Ultimate Transcendence
    A sonnet about fate, free will and ultimate spiritual transcendence.
  • Blessed in Great Fullness
    A short, rhymed poem about gratefulness and great fullness.
  • Poverty
    An aphorism
  • Everything is Divine
    A whimsical rhyming poem about having a spiritual attitude of acceptance.
  • Maximize Magical Moments
    A 'present'. :-)
  • True Greatness Lies in Humility
    An essay on Humility and he spiritual path.
  • Hidden
    Contemplating truth centuries and spiritual evolution.
  • Drowning SIlence
    Silence is golden.
  • Grace in Disguise
    A philosophical sonnet exploring divine grace.
  • Truth Has No Edges
    Philosophical senryu on Absolute Truth.
  • Every Atom Hums
    A senryu (three line poem) about Unity Consciousness.
  • An Editorial Comment on "Emotional Charity"
    Gracious acceptance of other's flaws is a form of emotional charity.
  • Divine Will
    A rhymed nonet on the theme of surrender to Divine Will.
  • Paradox of Devotion
    Surrender invokes grace on the path of devotion.
  • Tsunami
    A sonnet written after the Tsunami in South Kerala when Amma gathered all the ashram residents to pray for all those who had died,. Although no one in the ashram was hurt, numerous villagers neighboring the ashram were killed, wounded or lost their homes.
  • Freedom
    Reflective, philosophical free verse on the concept of change (in didactic tone).
  • Open and Empty
    Whimsical free verse on the theme of being a humble instrument in the hands of the divine. Amma says we should be like the pipe connected to a water tank: if it is open and empty, all the water of the tank can come through.
  • Enthusiasm
    A whimsical free verse exploring how children teach us the power of a positive attitude and living in the present.
  • I Wish To.
    Simple Prayer in alliterative free verse.
  • Cruel Kindness
    Along the spiritual path, one often faces arduous trials on a purifying journey to transformation and bliss.
  • In the Stream of Being
    Philosophical free verse.
  • Darshan
    Free verse ode to Amma's darshan (Divine Blessing).
  • Divine Devotion
    A humble love poem to the Divine with gratitude to my Guru.
  • Another Song of Sky
    Succinct Philosophical free verse contemplating Nirvana (samadhi).
  • Acquiesce
    Free verse on the theme of surrender along the spiritual path.
  • Senryu (unity and Diversity)
    Philosophical Senryu
  • Amma's Song
    Free verse in praise of prayerful songs sung by my guru: Amma.
  • Haiku (sun Plays in Puddles)
    Metaphorical haiku
  • Blank Paper
    Playful, rhymed verse about writer's block.
  • What is Poetry?
    Musings on musings in rhymed couplets.
  • Freedom of Infinity
    Philosophical sonnet exploring themes of Liberty and Infinity.
  • Truth is a Rebel
    Commentary senryu.
  • A Poem Allows a Poet To..
    Whimsical short poem about poems.
  • Radiance Without and Edge
    Succinct poetic reflection.
  • Noblest Love
    Free verse aphoristic reflection on Divine Love.
  • Soul-Notes
    Short rhymed reflection on the power of devotional music.
  • Hand Out Lollipops
    Philosophical Senryu series on peace, love and war.
  • The Disciple Continues..
    Sixth and Seventh part of a series of Heroic Sonnets Exploring different stages along the spiritual path. Continuing to practice lessons learned, one remains humbly grateful for Master's grace and guidance.
  • Seasoned Service Practicing Compassion
    Part Five in series of Heroic Sonnets exploring different stages of the spiritual path. A spiritual aspirant practices compassion seasoned by suffering and grace based on an attitude of surrender.
  • Surrender and Suffering
    Part four in a series of sonnets exploring stages along the spiritual path. The Spiritual Master 'chips' away negativity like a sculptor chisels rock.
  • Journey Towards the Pinnacle
    Part three in a series of Heroic Sonnets exploring stages along the spiritual path. After seeking and preparing for the path, one embarks wholeheartedly on the journey, accepting necessary sacrifices, tests and trials.
  • Preparing for Pilgrimage
    Part two in a series of heroic sonnets exploring stages along the spiritual path.
  • The Seeker
    Heroic sonnet about the beginning stages of the spiritual path. (FYI Heroic sonnets have 18 lines as opposed to 14)
  • Recipe for Success
    Succinct 'naani' poem on the theme of supreme success.
  • Infinity's Eyes and Ears
    A philosophical free verse..
  • The Goal of Inner Peace
    A sonnet exploring the spiritual goal of inner peace.
  • Transcendental Vision
    A flash-fiction story with a spiritual message. A journey to Mount Shasta, Ca. becomes a journey within.
  • Giant Oak Leaves
    Metaphorical portrait of life in whimsical free verse style.
  • Fire of Spiritual Transformation
    Metaphorical poem in didactic tone exploring themes detachment and surrender to Divine Will.
  • Colorful Consciousness
    Experimental short story: 'self-portrait of an artist' with a theme thread of transforming a life of materialism to a lifestyle focused on inner peace and spiritual awareness.
  • Compass Points Within and Without
    A philosophical free verse.
  • The Nature of Love
    A senryu (threelined Japanese style poem) with reflective commentary on the nature of love.
  • The Power of Perception in Reflection
    Three reflective philosophical tankas with didactic tone.
  • Disciplined Poetic License
    Free verse and Formal Verse are like Jazz and Classical music of words. Both have merit. For poetic license, it requires discipline to break the rules consciously. My parents used to say: "Discipline frees you."
  • After the Storm (Grace in Disguise)
    After the stormy dark night of the soul comes bliss and calm. A poem I wrote many years ago, newly revised. Kahlil Gibram said: "Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls; the most massive characters are seared with scars."
  • Giving Thanks
    A didactic commentary on the meaning of Thanksgiving and giving thanks in rhymed quatrains.
  • Universal, Unconditional Love
    A simple poem on the theme of unconditional love,
  • A Constant Mystic View
    Free verse exploration of mystical awareness (with didactic tone).
  • Flame of Faith
    Didactic free verse musings on faith
  • A Journey
    Short fictional story, in poetic format, of a boy who travels far to find the journey is within.
  • Haiku (glacial Gardens Grow)
    Metaphorical haiku on global warming.
  • Frozen Fluidity - a Metaphorical Haiku
    A metaphorical haiku.
  • Ode to My Guru
    A devotional sonnet from disciple to Master. Dedicated to Amma.
  • Harmonic Decay
    A philosophical sonnet on the harmonic cycle of existence.
  • (Perpetual) Temporary Impermanence
    Philosophical free verse musings.
  • Values of a Spiritual Warrior
    An essay on the path of a spiritual warrior. The phrase 'spiritual warrior' sounds like an oxymoron, but the spiritual path and the warrior's training share many common archetypal ideals.
  • Change: Inevitable, but Illusory!
    Metaphorical, philosophic and contemplative sonnet in didactic tone.
  • Divine Sparks
    Philosophical, metaphorical free verse in didactic tone.
  • Train of Thoughts Traveling Time
    Philosophical didactic musings in an experimental rhythmic rhyming form geared to mimic the movement of a train.
  • Illumination
    Metaphorical Free Verse on the power of poetry.
Next »

Filter Content by Category

Search rama devi (Nina Marshall)'s Content

Filter Content by Site