The Spiritual Path - Contemplative Talk & Poem

In this contemplative piece, we will explore the challenges associated with stepping onto a spiritual path. I begin with a short talk about this experience and guide us into a reading of Mary Oliver's poem, "The Journey." This poem speaks to this same topic of walking a spiritual path in life. With gratitude, I have paired the musical piece, "Starlight," by Chris Collins to mirror the poem. Thank you for joining me on the path. Have a beautiful day!

Transcript

Hi,

Thank you so much for joining me today for our contemplative reading of Mary Oliver's poem,

The Journey.

The spiritual path is a challenging path to walk sometimes.

When we make the choice to step onto it,

It can lead us to places we didn't anticipate,

Both internally with ourselves,

As well as in the external world.

Many times we feel an inner calling beckoning us,

The whispered breath inside leading us.

The challenge in that moment sometimes can be that the people around us,

Our friends,

Family,

Co-workers,

Acquaintances,

Cannot also hear that same whisper that we have heard inside ourselves.

If then we begin to make different choices based on this inner whispering,

This calling,

It can look to the outside world as if we have become someone that they don't recognize.

We may even be questioned for our choices.

Mary Oliver's poem,

The Journey,

Speaks to these moments.

Let's move into her poem now to contemplate this idea of the spiritual path,

The Journey,

By Mary Oliver.

One day you finally knew what you had to do and began,

Though the voices around you kept shouting their bad advice,

Though the whole house began to tremble and you felt the old tug at your ankles.

Mend my life,

Each voice cried,

But you didn't stop,

You knew what you had to do,

Though the wind pried with its stiff fingers at the very foundations,

Though their melancholy was terrible.

It was already late enough and a wild night and the road full of fallen branches and stones,

But little by little,

As you left their voices behind,

The stars began to burn through the sheets of clouds and there was a new voice,

Which you slowly recognized as your own,

That kept you company as you strode deeper and deeper into the world,

Determined to do the only thing you could do,

Determined to save the only life you could save.

On your journey,

May you find your own voice,

The one connected to the stars,

The one that keeps you company in this vast world.

May your day be filled with light,

May your mind be filled with peace,

May your heart be filled with knowing,

And may you always be guided by that inner whispering,

Have a beautiful day.

Namaste.

Reviews

Thank you for this powerful offering! It's exactly what I needed today. 🙏🌞

I love Mary Oliver’s poems. This one is a fave. Shannon’s voice and the music go so beautifully with it! Bookmarked and saved. I am on this journey and it is often a solo one and not always easy ,yet it is worth it. 💜💫

This poem so resonates with me. I heard it exactly at the time I needed. Thank you!
Namaste ✨️ 💖

Beautiful poem by Mary Oliver, thank you Shannon 🙏💖

Love this journey 🌺

Beautiful reading of this poem and wise words from you...thank you 💛