the perfected Life - Emily Dickenson

[Lisa Walford]

Emily Dickenson wrote this around 1863, when she was 33 years old. She lived a secluded life, by choice and her poetic gift was not recognized until after her death. An elegant analogy here, using the image of a building a house for "the perfected Life". Perhaps everything that we approach, with attention and awareness, is but a prop that loses it usefulness once we cease the willfulness and live life as an affirmation. I am, of course, casting my own light on this gem of a poem; in particular as it relates to our pranayama practice. Read the excerpt from the Tao Te Ching (Guy Leekley) below.   

And join me on Wednesdays from 7:30 - 8:30 AM to drop the props and enter the Pause

https://centerforyogala.com/classes/?lisa-walford&lisa-walford

The Props assist the House

Until the House is built

And then the Props withdraw

And adequate, erect,

The House supports itself

And ceases to recollect

The Auger and the Carpinter - 

Just such a retrospect 

Hath the perfected Life -

A past of Plank and Nail

And slowness - then the Scaffolds drop

Affirming it a Soul. 

If we think that something has beauty,

We might also thinkg something has none.

If we think that someone is good,

We might also think someone is bad.

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The idea of being requires non-being.

The idea of difficult suggests easy,

Long give way to short,

While high requires a low. 

-

When is the end a beginning?

-

Tru Seekers are wary

Of all these labels,

Preferring a Way

Of unforced action and stillness.

Then, without strain, all is accomplished. 

- 

The True Seeker is productive,

But not possessive;

Aware, but not attached;

Fulfilled, but not complacent.