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.
For over two decades, Rama Devi Nina has followed a spiritual path living in India
in the ashram of her Guru and engaging in volunteer service for Amma s non-profit charitable activities.
She is a poet, writer and freelance writing coach and editor, living in Florida when not abroad.
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For over two decades, Rama Devi Nina has followed a spiritual path living in India
in the ashram of her Guru and engaging in volunteer service for Amma s non-profit charitable activities.
She is a poet, writer and freelance writing coach and editor, living in Florida when not abroad.
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- Contributor since
- 5/7/2010
Education/Experience
Oberlin College; Heartwood Institute For Holistic Healing; M.A. Math in IndiaInterests
Spirituality, Unconditional Love, Poetry, Healing Arts, Kindness, Authenticity, Cross-Cultural Counseling, Meditation, Volunteer Service, Music, Writing, Editing,Motto
Love and Serve
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Displaying Results 1 - 200 (of 325) for All Content
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PeaceA single word acrostic with a message of peace for all. -
Aspiration Vs AmbitionA short free verse poem with spiritual and philosophical intent. -
The View WithinMetaphorical blank verse exploring theme threads of mystic spirituality, impermanence and the interior spiritual view. I've used similar nature imagery in many of my poems. Here,I combine them as tangential aspects under the one main metaphor of a Geode. -
Poem: Perspective of a Panoramic ViewPhilosophical sonnet braiding together multiple spiritual themes on threads of impermanence. -
Groundbreaking Solutions to SustainabilityRon Finley's extraordinary urban gardens plant seeds of innovative thinking that generate powerful ideas with potential to transform communities and lives across the globe. -
Conscientiousness & Common SenseAcrostic poem based on a Native American Proverb: A frog does not drink up the pond in which he lives.” -
We're All OneA short philosophical poem playing with a favorite Vedic Metaphor. (Wave=Jiva; Ocean=Paramatma)
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Faith and FallsA reflective poem about faith, falls and redemption. -
Fire Owns No FormPhilosophical pondering based on Vedic Metaphor of fire for spirit.
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Personal Vignette on UnityA true story about awakening awareness of the common humanity and values shared between vastly diverse cultures. -
EquipoiseA short, Nonet style poem with philosophical overtones. -
Poem: Ganges SangamA succinct senryu style poem referencing the sacred river Ganges in India. -
Free Verse Poem: A Glimpse BeyondThis free verse poem stems from glimpses of unqualified unity (via meditation) that cannot be described (only alluded to). Advaita Vedanta is a Sanskrit term that literally means: "The non-dual end of knowledge".
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Short Poem: Tanka (radiant Sunbeams)A short tanka poem with nature metaphors revealing optimism as the light of God.
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Personal Vignette on FaithHow does faith influence our lives? A personal vignette relating to a compelling experience born of faith. -
Short Story: Imagination's GardenThis short story explores the power of the mind to transcend challenging circumstances with the resilience of the human spirit. The style combines devices of poetry in prose -
Poem: Broken Heart's Ironic BlessingsThis free verse poem contemplates quotes from Khalil Gibran as my muse explores how compassion can become the sweet fruit of a hurt heart. -
How Do We Cultivate Positive Thinking?How do we cultivate positive thinking? Part one of this article shares some spiritual perspectives. Part two will explore practices, practical application and the energy of intent. -
Self-help Article: How to Cultivate Positive ThinkingHow do we cultivate positive thinking? Part one of this article shared some spiritual perspectives. Part two explores practices, practical application and the energy of intent.
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Globalization and CultureIdeas on overcoming cross-cultural conflicts to cultivate inter-cultural communication through mutual respect and tolerance of diversity as well as awareness of underlying unity. -
Poem: (Sonnet) Divine InboxMore fun with modern metaphor in this philosophical yet whimsical sonnet exploring the symbiotic themes of Prayer and Grace.
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Blank Verse Poem: MetamorphosisThis metaphorical blank verse (Shakespearean style - metered but not rhymed) stems from my concern for people who suffer from depression. It is meant to be read aloud -- a musical remedy.
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ObamaA one-word acrostic tribute to Obama.
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Sandy Stormed Through New York City (Poetic Response)Sandy stormed through New York City and elsewhere with fury and destructiveness. This poem explores the 'internal' impact of this event.
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Poem: Spiritual SolutionPoem: Metaphorical free verse on spiritual surrender.
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Forgiveness - Poetic PerspectivesForgiveness embodies unconditional love, compassion, mercy, patience and generosity. This short free verse poem expresses the theme in philosophical poetic style.
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NirvanaNonet exploring Nirvana with modern metaphor.
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Guru's Grace - My Amazing AmmaA Westerner's account of one of numerous wonderful experiences while living in an Indian Ashram with my Spiritual Guru, Amma.
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The Tale of the Friendly Old WhaleRhymed story in a poem about a girl, a whale and humanity's need to increase compassion.
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I Don't MindDidactic philosophical pondering on the freedom to choose how we respond to life. A suite of Quatrain stanzas with ABAB rhyme scheme.
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Precious Role of My GuruA free verse poem with a whimsical, modern metaphor for the Guru's Grace, which cannot be found on Google!
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Inspirational SilencesI believe silence is the core of music, and music is the core of silence. This ABC styled poem weaves themes of music, nature and silence.
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Fire Under WaterA short Sci-Fi story based on artwork. The artwork showed a planet with a red river, a huge moon, and a bunch of structures. This is 'out of the box' for me...exploring what my muse might do...hope you enjoy.
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Hear Earth's CriesA pantoum poem in didactic flavor urging us to heed our responsibility as stewards of planet Earth.
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Mysterious Knock Behind the LockA spontaneous fictional story penned for a creative writing prompt which required a story set in a summar cottage rental with a locked door - to find what's behind the door and how it affects the protagonist.
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Removing the Spectacles of ScepticismA 'poetic essay' on faith and scepticism in a series of four senryu in didactic tone.
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Unselfish FaithSuccinct commentary-prayer on Faith in three lines.
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Politics: Polite-Ethics?Senryu is an ancient three-lined japanese-style poem, often ironic or satirical in nature. This is a word-play commentary on the word: politics, with a pun-ish angle using words that phonetically resemble it.
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Glints of TruthA five-lined, metaphorical Tanka poem based on a painting by Nicholas Roerich, paired with a commentary senryu.
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Evolutionary SpiritualityA philosophical essay on Unity, Science and Spirituality, exploring the insights of the physicist David Bohm, Albert Einstein, and wise masters of the East.
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Everyone Has a SparkA flash fiction story. Flash fiction is like the haiku or prose. It conveys a complete and impacting story in which every word is absolutely essential. This was written for a contest entry -the subject is: Insanity
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Spiritual TravelerA Triolet is a French Medieval poetic form with the rhyme scheme ABaAabAB. Often all lines are in iambic tetrameter: The 1st, 4th and 7th lines are identical, as are the 2nd and final lines. Repetition is used to give a sense of musical cadence.
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Nature is NutritionReflective quatrains exploring how time in nature can serves as spiritual nutrition, especially for those in urban environments.
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The PathThis sonnet metaphorically explores the relationship between the devotee and the divine and how the path of devotion (Bhakti) ultimately leads from relative duality to Absolute Unity.
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Igniting Insight WithinBlazing Colorado wildfires not only scorch the land, they torch our concepts of security ignite compassion and nudge awareness to the inner core.
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Radiant Twilight in Joshua TreeA free verse poem about a night in Joshua Tree National Park.
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Seeds Break OpenA short nonet poem about the transformational nature of problems, the power of perspective and an optimistic point of view towards trials and obstacles.
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Compassion is the Noblest KeyA 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.
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Mandela's GiftA four-lined tribute to the power of compassion that blossoms from roots of suffering.
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Mystical PoetryA succinct poetic style (ABC poem) in alliterative tribute to the mystical poets Rumi and Hafiz.
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Paradoxical PolarityA sonnet exploring the paradoxical relationship between suffering and bliss.
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The Power of a Solitary TreeThrough 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.
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GratitudePart Six 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.
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ContinuingPart 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.
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Serenity Comes Only with SurrenderPart 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.
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Journey to the PeakPart 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.
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Surrendering to SpiritualityPart 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.
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Called on PilgrimagePart 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.
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The Seeker's BeginningPart 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.
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Ode to Silent EloquenceA sonnet-ode to the mystic muse that speaks from the voice of silence.
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Road Signs of TruthPhilosophical poem. A free-verse exploration of being spiritually present in every moment.
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Ode to the Music RestThis shakespearean style sonnet ode to the music rest metaphorically explores how the power of silence enhances art (and life).
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Flowering CompassionFlowering of Compassion is a philosophical, reflective, metaphorical poem in Sonnet form.
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Global CommunityReflective poetic quatrains exploring globalization, communication and the importance of honoring the interconnection of all life.
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Subtle InfluencesA four line philosophical/spiritual Naani poem on gradual, steady spiritual progress.
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Music in NatureA humble, three-lined poem (based on artwork).
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Altruism is All-TrueThis short essay explores the power of selfless actions to liberate us from the grip of desire and illuminate the truth of universal unity.
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A Nonet for ThanksgivingA nonet about gratefulness for Thanksgiving. (Nonet is a nine line poem with descending syllable count from 9 to 1)
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The Art of Treasuring LifeEditorial 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.
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Haiku (Winter's White Canvas)Metaphorical haiku on Winter as a symbol of death.
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Devotional FlowersSuccinct senryu poem on devotion
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Distilled TruthSimple succinct philosophical commentary in free verse style.
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Humanity, It's Simple.A spiritual reminder in naani form
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(senryu) Infinite SplendorSuccinct ironic senryu
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CompassionFour-line philosophical (spiritual) commentary.
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Masters of SilenceA free verse, metaphorical poem exploring communication through music and the mastery of silence.
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The Missing PieceA flash fiction story of a young girl's spiritual rite of passage.
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Latitude of AttitudeA succinct, aphoristic/didactic short poem about gratitude.
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Occupy Wall Street MovementA '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.
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A Light was on in the RoomA spiritually-flavored, fictional short story with a hint of Shamanistic influence.
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Haiku (white Himalayan)Mystically flavored haiku.
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Liberating ChangeFree verse exploration of personal transformation, spiritual evolution and the tug-of-war between optimism and pessimism.
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The Open RoadFree verse exploring the faith of a Pilgrim. (Didactic tone)
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KindnessThree-line commentary on kindness
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The Death of SelfishnessA four-line Naani poem about spiritual transcendence over ego.
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Self PortraitsFree verse musing on emotional states and spirituality.
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Philosophy of Unfaltering FaithPhilosophical Quatrains on Faith
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A Wrapped GiftA succinct Naani poem with a reflective (philosophical) spiritual message.
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The Sincere StudentA story in rhymed poetic verses with a twist of humor and a moral.
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*Hugs*A free verse poem on the art of hugging
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Life is like a Video GameA playful, didactic series of naani style poems linked along a theme thread of obstacles as gifts in disguise.
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Talk About Silence (Speaking of Obstacles)Philosophical-spiritual Quatrains with subtly satirical tone. Theme: "talking about silence"
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Imagining MeditationA succinct, whimsical naani-style poem on the practice of meditation.
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Love's Cliche BouquetAbout 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.
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Think GreenA succinct, aphoristic style poem of three lines.
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Peaceful Heart of CompassionA simple naani-style poem of four lines. The word Naani is a Telegu word meaning: 'For one and all'.
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Enlightenment is ContagiousA sonnet about spiritual awareness, silence and meditation.
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The Place of UnknowingFree verse philosophical musing on spiritual awareness, meditation and silence.
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Poet-treeA succinct haiku poem about a powerful tree and life's subtle poetry.
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Hurricane IreneA poem for Hurricane Irene.
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The Wise BeggarA true story of a memorable encounter with a 'wise beggar' three decades ago, while growing up in New York City.
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Less is MoreThis 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.
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Hopes and Laments of a Spiritual AspirantA short free verse portrait of spiritual longing.
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Ripening on the Tree of LifeA philosophical, spiritual sonnet.
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Universal ChorusHaiku. Alone is not alone, it is ALL ONE.
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Polarized UnityReflective Haiku
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Unified SourceHaiku
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Seasonal High-kuThis is a poetic-essay on theme threads of impermanence and continuity in a series of seasonal haiku and one commentary 'coda'.
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Forest EavesdroppingA simple, modern haiku .
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The Art of Active AcquiescenceA free verse poem on spiritual perception.
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Communication Creates the Foundation of CultureThis 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.
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The Pace of ProgressA tanka style poem about global cyber-communication and cultural influence.
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Illumined MindA nonet style poem exploring spirituality, silence and truth.
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ContemplationA succinct, metaphorical, naani style poem about the spiritual importance of silent meditation.
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LuminosityThe spiritual path leads to the pinnacle of perception through which all existence appears worthy of worship.
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True Laughter, the Teller of TalesThis whimsical, rhymed story-in-a poem is a parable-like story about storyteller who travels the world until he finds a suitable audience.
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Kissing Cosmic MysteriesA poem about awareness and spirituality.
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PhoenixFree verse poem on Faith.
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Wishes Are like Ripe Cherry BlossomsA metaphorical mirrored-nonet-style poem about how desires are the harbingers of disappointment due to impermanence.
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First Step to EnlightenmentA didactic, spiritual, metaphorical poem based on the artwork's imagery. Knowing one is trapped is the first step in the journey towards release.
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Twisted LabyrinthA free verse descriptive commentary on love and hate.
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True LoveA short commentary poem on the nature of true love.
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Tenants and Tenets of the HeartContemplative Quatrains: commentaries on compassion.
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The ElderA succinct metaphorical poem on aging.
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Sacred SmileShort, contemplative, aphoristic poem (a senryu-like style).
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Instruments of Divine LoveShort, metaphorical, contemplative poem.
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Extraordinary AttitudeAphoristic poetic commentary
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Senryu on DevotionA senryu on the path of devotion to a guru
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Victorious SurrenderContemplative, rhymed couplets.
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Conscious CompassionA whimsical, philosophical word play.
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Mona Lisa's Much-debated SecretMona 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.
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Paradox of HopeA philosophical, contemplative series of quatrains on the paradox of hope and despair.
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Why Wait?Succinct commentary poem.
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The Mystic Poet, HafizHafiz 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.
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Of Grace and the Art of DyingA sonnet about the art of dying peacefully, based on my experiences counseling dying patients at Amrita Hospital in India.
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The Mystic Poet RumiRumi had the profound ability to use external imagery from the ordinary world to open the heart and elevate consciousness to a sublime inner awareness.
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Disarming the MindA 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.
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Insight's GarlandA Shakespearean sonnet exploring a spiritual theme comparing the beauty of wisdom to the beauty of youth.
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Chords of LoveMetaphorical free verse musings (a bit of whimsy).
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Internal WellspringsA sonnet for Spring and Eternity.
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Awakening Melody of SpringA rhymed and metered poem about spring as a symbol of rebirth and transcendence.
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The Importance of the FeminineThis 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.
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Cooperation VS. CompetitionAn 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.
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Healing the Water's Of JapanConsciousness 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.
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ProfitAcrostic with a spiritual message
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TragedyA contemplative senryu about the nature of tragedy.
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Circles of InfinityA simple metaphorical observation in four-lined naani style.
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Pristine VisionDidactic metaphorical free verse on surrender and renunciation.
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Our Greatest PleasureContemplative, philosophical tanka about the relationship between joy and pain.
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Helping JapanAn 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.
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Altruistic AffluenceShort naani style poem. The theme is obvious but worthy of repeating..
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Singing GrassFree verse with spiritual overtones.
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Bubble of OblivionA rhymed acrostic on collective karma and global unity.
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InspirationA contemplative senryu
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Mind-windowsPhilosophical tanka
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Truth is Non-verbalA succinct commentary.
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SerenityA playful free verse on the path towards peace.
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Awareness is Life's ArtA 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.
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Divine SignatureFree verse style poem on divine love as the author of every atom.
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Pure Love's PulseA "minute' poem on Divine Love.
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WealthDidactic, contemplative free verse on true wealth.
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Talk About SilenceA philosophical free verse about silence and kindness. :)
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Moving Mountains - a Personal Essay on FaithMemoirs of initial years living in India with my guru Amma.
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(senryu) Human ArroganceA succinct senryu style poem about the collective karma of human arrogance.
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Greatness of HumilityAn essay on the value and greatness of humility as an asset along the spiritual path.
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Ode to Martin Luther King JrRhymed Quatrains in tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.
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Spiritual ChorusDidactic free verse on spiritual unity.
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Forest SongNature's symphony
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Lustrous TruthA short contemplative Naani poem.
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Thirsty FishThe proverbial thirsty fish...
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Of Stars and Wisdom's WheelContemplative spiritual Sonnet
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Higher PerspectiveContemplative Sonnet
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Unknowable MysteryAphoristic poem on Wisdom and life's mystery
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Mirrors of the SkyShort reflective tanka
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Drowning in DevotionShort reflective poem about the spiritual path of Bhakti (devotion)
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Of Now and Happy New YearsA sonnet about celebrating each new 'now'.
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Ultimate TranscendenceA sonnet about fate, free will and ultimate spiritual transcendence.
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Blessed in Great FullnessA short, rhymed poem about gratefulness and great fullness.
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PovertyAn aphorism
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Everything is DivineA whimsical rhyming poem about having a spiritual attitude of acceptance.
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Maximize Magical MomentsA 'present'. :-)
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True Greatness Lies in HumilityAn essay on Humility and he spiritual path.
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HiddenContemplating truth centuries and spiritual evolution.
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Drowning SIlenceSilence is golden.
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Grace in DisguiseA philosophical sonnet exploring divine grace.
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Truth Has No EdgesPhilosophical senryu on Absolute Truth.
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Every Atom HumsA senryu (three line poem) about Unity Consciousness.
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An Editorial Comment on "Emotional Charity"Gracious acceptance of other's flaws is a form of emotional charity.
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Divine WillA rhymed nonet on the theme of surrender to Divine Will.
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Paradox of DevotionSurrender invokes grace on the path of devotion.
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TsunamiA 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.
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FreedomReflective, philosophical free verse on the concept of change (in didactic tone).
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Open and EmptyWhimsical 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.
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EnthusiasmA whimsical free verse exploring how children teach us the power of a positive attitude and living in the present.
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I Wish To.Simple Prayer in alliterative free verse.
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Cruel KindnessAlong the spiritual path, one often faces arduous trials on a purifying journey to transformation and bliss.
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In the Stream of BeingPhilosophical free verse.
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DarshanFree verse ode to Amma's darshan (Divine Blessing).
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Divine DevotionA humble love poem to the Divine with gratitude to my Guru.
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Another Song of SkySuccinct Philosophical free verse contemplating Nirvana (samadhi).