Behind the Poem 2: Initiation
A blog series sharing the stories behind the poems in my book, where they came from, and the moments that gave them life.
May 31, 1979
We gathered one Friday evening at a meditation community “coffee.” My husband and I were among friends, almost all of whom had met and were now followers of Baba, an Indian guru, who was touring the US. I’d been a staunch hold out. I could see something was going on for them, but I wasn’t at all dialed in and didn’t even want to be within earshot of them talking about it. Yet, I’d been shown the light in meditation only 5 days before. A shift was in the works.
Our friend, Tom, told his story. I was touched by the melancholy in his voice as he described his quest for fulfillment as a former catholic priest, and family counselor. He’d sought love in a series of relationships, as well. Tom felt he’d finally come home to himself when a guide and path of meditation opened to him.
The top of my head seemed to lift off and enter the ether as this circle of friends chanted a mantra, Om Namah Shivaya.
Tom was offering a two-day meditation workshop the next day. I’d taken a week-long voice rest break from my job as coordinator of King County Family Services’ Family Violence Project and signed on to join a handful of folks at Tom’s home and meditation center.
On Saturday, June 1, 1979, we were seated before an altar and framed photo of Baba. I felt a tug of longing as Tom once more recounted his story. Then, he introduced the mantra. A palpable, alchemical change was already underway following my inward cry, “Help me, Baba!” I recall two almost simultaneous thoughts: “This is going to be a good one!” And a second later: “Now, I have something to give to my children.”
There are really no words that accurately convey the descent of Grace and awakening to the Light of one’s Soul. I wrote the poem, Initiation, to mark and evoke the essence of that precious moment.
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