The Question of Identity
Manatita is an esteemed author living in London, UK. He writes spiritual books, flash fiction and esoteric poetry, his favourite genre.
Wisdom from the Master
"Your soul has a special mission. Your soul is supremely conscious of it.
Maya, illusion or forgetfulness, makes you feel that you are finite, weak and helpless. This is not true. You are not the body. You are not the senses. You are not the mind. These are all limited. You are the soul..." - Sri Chinmoy
Identity
A fire can create a tornado of blazes, yet it can
Also cook ravishing and delectable meals. In the
Same way, life can be a pageantry of colours to enjoy,
Or a tapestry of countless challenges to conquer.
I am a strand on the sitar of the music we call Love,
Yet I clutch at the moon in sunset tides.
Creating chasms and divisions, like a sliced tomato;
Waves curling against rocks with futile intensity.
Who am I? I’m paired with the duality of Light
And darkness, cold and warmth, walk with twinkling
Stars, even while dancing with the shadows of
Nights, leaving an Eden of painful scars in my abyss.
My mind runs riotous, and I fight with the agony
Of injustices perceived, attempt to deal with the
Weight of my burden of labels, engrossed in pain, while
Insecurity and loneliness slice my heart with scimitars.
Who am I? I am the Light I long to see and change, for
Sure, begins with me. I struggle … to transform my
Angle of vision, my environment, my darker impulses;
The many forces I can’t control, in my quest for happiness.
Solitude evades me like the tail of a dog; I’m forced to
Reminisce on my parent’s wisdom, in quest of freedom.
Theirs was a common humanity of Light and discernment,
Of Decorum and beauty … of selfless love.
Their sacrifice spoke to me of the glories of life; mom’s
Radiant kisses enfolding and insulating my Heart with goodness.
Yet I was called bad names, saw the indignity of kindred spirits --
My women suffering the depravity of self-worth; of self-esteem.
Shaped by life, I, a wayfaring vessel on turbulent
Oceans, wandered alone, as clouds dispersed from
The heavenly blue, no place to call my home; stumbling
In a hollow maze of abysmal darkness.
Who am I? I am a child woven from an embryo, carrying
Seeds and blueprints of a DNA, going all the way back to
Ancestral Africa. I marvel at the intricacies of birth, while living
In dread of demise to an inevitable and invisible stranger, called Death.
Alas! Like the deer that runs after its own musk, not
Realizing that it comes from its innate self, I have forgotten
That golden Light within, from whence I came, to ascend
The winding Path of righteousness, in order to find my way Home.
- Manatita, The Lantern Carrier. 15th November, 2020
Wisdom from the Master
"Has your soul a special mission? Yes. Your mission is in the inmost recesses of your heart, and you have to find and fulfil it there. There can be no external way for you to fulfil your mission..." - Sri Chinmoy
Identity
© 2020 manatita44
Comments
manatita44 (author) from london on November 19, 2020:
Thanks Linda L,
I can't see my response to you. Now I have little to say. Your wisdom and discernment is noted. Peace. - Lantern
manatita44 (author) from london on November 18, 2020:
You speak with the wisdom I know you have. Never give up! God is with you and for you. Keep listening to the inner voice. Much Love.
Rodric Anthony Johnson from Surprise, Arizona on November 18, 2020:
I am filled with charity today. I feel to say that your words and perspective enrich my life because I know that I will always read something that will cause me to think about things outside of my everyday experiences, or see my everyday experiences in a new purpose.
I believe that you are an inspired person. I thank God for people like you and that you are willing to write the thoughts that you have for the good of those who seek it. It is a pleasant respite from the society of men today.
manatita44 (author) from london on November 18, 2020:
Thanks Linda.
A most reflective response. Stay blessed and well. - Lantern
Linda Lum from Washington State, USA on November 18, 2020:
Why are we here? Whether one believes in a Supreme being or not, we all have that question deep inside of us--what is my purpose. I'm still searching, and I believe that is the way it is meant to be until my Heavenly Father takes me home. "We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience." Psalm 139:1-4 states it perfectly.
Sending you love and prayers for your continued safety my friend.
manatita44 (author) from london on November 18, 2020:
Thanks Bro.
You are not alone/ yet if you are in fact the chords on the violin on this thing called Music, then that's some empowerment! (Chuckle) You'll get to dance again. Beautiful!
Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on November 18, 2020:
I'm not sure I still know the depths of my identity, my friend, but I'm getting closer, and the journey is fascinating. :) Sending blessings to you on this fine Wednesday morning. Take care and be safe!
manatita44 (author) from london on November 18, 2020:
Thank you, Tiyasha, refreshing to see you again. Peace.
Tiyasha Maitra from Gurgaon on November 18, 2020:
Aah. A thought provoking piece. I think we spend our entire lives trying to discover ourselves. A very delightful poem indeed.
manatita44 (author) from london on November 18, 2020:
MR Happy,
Appreciations. You're a wise human, not much (I can say. keep well. Peace.
Thanks Peggy. I think I'm getting to grips slowly of how to use this feed. Your wisdom shows in your answers. Peace.
manatita44 (author) from london on November 18, 2020:
Thank you, Vanita. Welcome here! Appreciated.
manatita44 (author) from london on November 18, 2020:
Good for you, my dear. In some ways 'calling' equates to happiness. If one feels happy, then it is likely one is doing the right thing. Anyway, I'm not sure why I ended up speaking so much about calling. My poem is more about identity and the need for the Higher Love. Thanks a lot, Rosina. Gratitude
Vanita Thakkar on November 18, 2020:
A soothing one.
Beautiful comments and replies as well.
Loved reading.
Pranaams.
Rosina S Khan on November 18, 2020:
I think my calling is not just writing but beyond. I feel excited at the thought of getting a higher education degree and continuing as a faculty member of a reputable university. But somehow because of COVID-19 it is all at a pause, and I am looking at my creative outlets for the time being. Stay blessed, Manatita.
manatita44 (author) from london on November 17, 2020:
Thank you, my didi ji.
You seem yo be doing fine and I admire you a lot. Thank you so much!
Chitrangada Sharan from New Delhi, India on November 17, 2020:
Beautiful and heartfelt poem, which made me think.
I liked the example of fire and each line is meaningful.
My aim in life is to do my duties, and fulfil my responsibilities, towards my family, towards the society, in the best possible way, I can. I am truly sincere about it, and it gives me immense satisfaction. I don’t want anyone else to go through the pain and suffering, which I may have gone through at a certain time. My efforts may be small, but my concern is genuine. We may be very small in this vast world, and my contribution may be negligible, but I believe, every bit counts, and is important.
Thank you for sharing this wonderful and thoughtful poem.
Peggy Woods from Houston, Texas on November 17, 2020:
I think that many people wrestle with that question, and yet, we have to find that answer within ourselves. We are mind, spirit and soul wrapped temporarily in our earthly bodies.
Sankhajit Bhattacharjee from MILWAUKEE on November 17, 2020:
a heart touching piece
Mr. Happy from Toronto, Canada on November 17, 2020:
"You are not the body. You are not the senses. You are not the mind." - You might appreciate this. I certainly do. What You wrote here is in the chant: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tBMjwsXHRLc
मनो बुद्ध्यहंकारचित्तानि नाहम्
न च श्रोत्र जिह्वे न च घ्राण नेत्रे
न च व्योम भूमिर् न तेजो न वायु:
चिदानन्द रूप: शिवोऽहम् शिवोऽहम् ॥१॥
"Mano buddhi ahankara chittani naaham
Na cha shrotravjihve na cha ghraana netre
Na cha vyoma bhumir na tejo na vaayuhu
Chidananda rupah shivo'ham shivo'ham"
Great poem! I mean, I just like the teachings You promote. I'm not going into it, or I risk doing injustice to this poem which I think it is quite important. May everyone come to see your words here, or the thoughts. Da-na'-ho-we-yo.
Thank You and mitakuye oyasin (all my relatives).
manatita44 (author) from london on November 17, 2020:
I agree with you. Calling is felt. I think both Bill and Shauna are settled now. It's an intuitive thing. one knows or don't know. Humans move through pain, so this group senses as well.
Your work has long since been admired and appreciated. Calling is followed by contentment. My earthly one is service and my heavenly one is the quest for Wisdom via love of God and service to His creation. I sensed it as a child, but it returned 38 years ago and stayed with me. Thank you so much!!
John Hansen from Gondwana Land on November 17, 2020:
Excellent poetry and an important question to contemplate, manatita. The wisdom of Sri Chinmoy is always welcome too. I feel that I have found my calling through my writing as it often provides the inspiration or message that others are looking for at a particular time, even though that is often beyond my understanding. I don't feel the need to question it, just write what I feel.
manatita44 (author) from london on November 17, 2020:
Yes Rodric.
Like is a journey and seen from a spiritual standpoint, we have one Friend - the Ultimate. This mean that we ourselves have to do the worship. Scriptures are invaluable signposts but love is the key. Grace, through prayer, will show us the way.
Brenda that is a sweet piece! My strength is in knowing that there's only Spirit (God) Since you are Spirit, then we are made in the same image ... come from the same Source. Looks like humanity is beginning to realise this ... that we are all one in Spirit. Where then is the need for superior and inferior? Love all, serve all, I say. With the Heart and soul within. Gratitude. Such a loving sentiment!
BRENDA ARLEDGE from Washington Court House on November 17, 2020:
Manatita44,
I love your quote by Galileo. You cannot teach a man anything...you can only help him find it within himself.
I believe my calling has always been to help others. I am a master at dealing with paperwork and making phone calls.
Being there for someone even if I do nothing...just Be.
My words of poetry touch their hearts whenever I use it to comfort one's restless soul.
I feel your presence reaching out to me across the globe often.
You too have a well deserved calling.
Thank you for your kindness.
Rodric Anthony Johnson from Surprise, Arizona on November 17, 2020:
The perception of what we experience based on what we have learned in reality and through other's experiences... This had me thinking. I am not sure if I capture what you intended to shine forth, but this poem started me thinking. I don't read poetry much. Thanks for this one. It makes me think of trying to find the truth even when we are limited by how we experience life and understand it.
manatita44 (author) from london on November 17, 2020:
Thanks Pamela.
Yes you, me, Peggy, Ruby ... we seemed to have found our calling. Not all can say this.
Yes, we have a body so we need the care. Well, death is certain, until we come again. Thank you for your constant support and in being first here. Many blessings.
Pamela Oglesby from Sunny Florida on November 17, 2020:
I think the essence is the soul. I t hink my life work was to be a caretaker as that what I did for 70 years of my life in one form or another. Now I need the care. LOL I have a loving family for sure. I love your poetry today, Mantita. Sri Chinmoy's quotes always add a nice addition to your poetry.
