Fallish Renderings
Grateful We Are Here
“Come for the Poetry…stay for the naad(cosmic sound).”
The definition of mantra, borrowed into English, from Sanskrit, is a word or formula, often in the Vedic tradition, chanted or sung as an incantation or prayer.
Dictionary.com
Dearest Reader,
Something about mantras...these ancient sound codes can just hit the right spot and make you feel so good. Or at least bring you down a notch and bring some relief from anxiety.
I see mantras or sung/spoken prayers, as something that has always been a ritual in my life. In fact, I just said prayers with my daughter to say goodnight. She loves to say her Hail Mary and Angel of God. Again, with the utilization of this tool, even in any tradition, this technology can do so much to soothe us. A gift handed down to me, that I respect, and am very grateful for receiving.
There is something to using our own sound, our own voice to calm down. I’m so excited to have you, dear reader, along with me for this journey of learning and growth. You see I only want to learn and understand mantra and manta-like technologies better. And one of the best ways to learn is to teach. So, I am by no means an expert and I invite the conversation to further my personal education.
I just want to share my own experience. And maybe it might help someone else. Personally, my family and I are going through a pretty challenging time right now. I won’t say too much, but, our eldest son, is dealing with leukemia right now. He is getting stronger every day. And he is my hero.
This little “coffee and mantras” experiment is something simple I can offer. In real-time, mantras has been one of the key instruments, we use often, and that has kept us sane going through THE hardest time in our lives.
Sound is in everything. Our own voice is an empowering tool we have access to whenever we want. Have you ever belted out a tune in your shower or in your car when no one is around? It is VERY stress relieving. Taking in a prescription of this sort of thing, a little scaled-down, on a regular basis, can help. At least in my experience.
This first one is a favorite…
It is from the Japji Sahib, the first prayer of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, a 15th-century mystic poet, musician, divine philosopher, spiritual teacher, and social reformer. Nanak had a profound samadhi, an experience of Divine Union. A declaration that all people should embrace Oneness. This formed the foundations of his teachings. He had a mission to spread the love of the Divine. And to spread the practice of Naam Simran, chanting or reciting sacred words with devotion. Guru Nanak vested the basis of what is known today as Sikh Dharma. He embarked on a series of travels reaching out far and wide, walking over 17,000 miles, and sharing his sacred teachings in the form of songs. Creating a Divine experience for both singer and the listener. He created the Japji to be 40 Paurees (steps in poetic verse).
Cited from: Gurutej Singh Khalsa, Guru Nanak’s Call of the Souls: Japji Sahib, Sikh Dharma International, 2016
38th Pauree
Let self-control be the furnace,
and patience the goldsmith.
Let understanding be the anvil, and spiritual wisdom the tools.
With the fear of God as the bellows,
fan the flames of tapa, the body’s inner heat.
In the crucible of love, melt the nectar of the Name,
and mint the true coin of the Shabad, the word of God.
Such is the karma of those upon whom He has cast His glance of Grace.
O Nanak, the Merciful Lord, by His Grace, uplifts and exalts them.
Snatam Kaur recites the entire Japji in a melodic, very slow, clear way. It’s a beautiful version. Her album, Light of the Naam: Meditations of the Soul: 11 Recitations of the Pauris of the Jap Ji. It is available on any of your favorite music platforms. More information on the Jap Ji is available on her website snatamkaur.com
Search Morning Mantras by The Paperback Life on Spotify. I created a playlist, a morning practice set, for you to enjoy.
I love this version of oracle type cards of the entire Japji! Find more information at sikhdharma.org
It has been fantastic learning about who Guru Nanak was and how his teachings are still so relevant today. His revolutionary way of thinking, especially, so long ago, is absolutely fascinating. He has quickly become a favorite poet of mine. Settling into my daily meditation practice with this incredible gift has been and continues to be very healing for me. My favorite way to listen is through my headphones right after waking up. Let me know if you try it out. If you do try it out, what part stands out the most to you?
For now, I leave you with an original poem. Thanks for reading!
Her
My days don’t run me.
I have a say.
The insulation
of my practice keeps me.
Keeps her.
From top of mind,
currents run down my crooked little spine.
Tiptoe tapping into radical acceptance.
Eventually, leading to the joy of my heart.
Skipping a beat, each time a barrier is broken down,
lingering within my own intrauterine bubble.
I witness a glowing portal
found unfaded.
Exposing another layer of truth.
The truth of the matter.
The truth resting in the delicate
nature of this life.
This life... we had the audacity to build from the ground up.
So, naively.
All encompassing, rests in the neat folds of origami shaped tissues,
catching our tears, as they stream out.
Lending whimsical play,
and gifted smiles,
weaved around the holy moments
of exhaustion, grief and regret.
As I retrace the edges of my heart,
I return.
M.B. Kaplan
What was you favorite part of today, so far? Please share if you would like. Or not. Just think about it for a few minutes. Then, continue on.
Hope you enjoyed my poem. And this moment for yourself.
With grace & gratitude,
Mary Beth
For latest projects, more poetry and inspiration…
Find me on Instagram: @the_paperbackmama
Check out my shop!
Thanks for introducing me to a new spiritual teacher 🙏🏼 Mantras & music are super important to me too, they are a big part of my spiritual practice 💖