On Time

And an astronomer said, Master, what of Time?
     And he answered:
     You would measure time the measureless and the immeasurable.
     You would adjust your conduct and even direct the course of your spirit according to hours and seasons.
     Of time you would make a stream upon whose bank you would sit and watch its flowing.

     Yet the timeless in you is aware of life’s timelessness,
     And knows that yesterday is but today’s memory and tomorrow is today’s dream. 
     And that that which sings and contemplates in you is still dwelling within the bounds of that first moment which scattered the stars into space.
     Who among you does not feel that his power to love is boundless?
     And yet who does not feel that very love, though boundless, encompassed within the centre of his being, and moving not from love thought to love thought, nor from love deeds to other love deeds?
     And is not time even as love is, undivided and spaceless?

     But if in your thought you must measure time into seasons, let each season encircle all the other seasons,
     And let today embrace the past with remembrance and the future with longing. 
                                               -Kahlil Gibran

On Self-Knowledge

“Self-knowledge is the beginning of wisdom. In self-knowledge is the whole universe, it encompasses all the conflicts of mankind”

Jiddu Krishnamurti

According to Wikipedia, “Self-knowledge is a term used in psychology to describe the information that an individual draws upon when finding an answer to the question “What am I like?”. While seeking to develop the answer to this question, self-knowledge requires ongoing self-awareness and self-consciousness.” Self-knowledge allows you to arrive at a truth. You express it through the way you talk, move, write, sing, dance, touch, or paint. The important questions are ‘What is this so-called truth?’ ‘Once you find it, Is it fair to impose your truth on others?’ Here is what Kahlil Gibran has to say.

On Eating And Drinking

Then an old man, a keeper of an inn, said, Speak to us of Eating and Drinking.
     And he said:
     Would that you could live on the fragrance of the earth, and like an air plant be sustained by the light.
     But since you must kill to eat, and rob the newly born of its mother’s milk to quench your thirst, let it then be an act of worship.
     And let your board stand an altar on which the pure and the innocent of forest and plain are sacrificed for that which is purer and still more innocent in man.

     When you kill a beast say to him in your heart,
     “By the same power that slays you, I too am slain; and I too shall be consumed.
     For the law that delivered you into my hand shall deliver me into a mightier hand.
     Your blood and my blood is naught but the sap that feeds the tree of heaven.”
     And when you crush an apple with your teeth, say to it in your heart,
     “Your seeds shall live in my body,
     And the buds of your tomorrow shall blossom in my heart,
     And your fragrance shall be my breath,
     And together we shall rejoice through all the seasons.”

     And in the autumn, when you gather the grapes of your vineyards for the winepress, say in your heart,
     “I too am a vineyard, and my fruit shall be gathered for the winepress,
     And like new wine I shall be kept in eternal vessels.”
     And in winter, when you draw the wine, let there be in your heart a song for each cup;
     And let there be in the song a remembrance for the autumn days, and for the vineyard, and for the winepress.
                                               -Kahlil Gibran

A Mystical Poet(Part 7)

I find this poem relevant even now. When laws are made hastily, without any meaningful deliberation. Democratic countries are also falling prey to certain bigots who let their biases creep into the laws. In that way tearing a nation’s fabric and instigating violence. But life has its own laws. And the very first law is that no repressive law can douse the human essence of standing up for what is right…

A Mystical Poet(Part 6)

There is a scene from a Tamil movie where comedian Vivek jokingly says, “If we stopped talking, half the problems in the world would get solved.” Isn’t it true? The way you talk, the tone, the pace, and the intention affect the people around us. When you talk with your parents, friends, or partner, do your words leave them at a peaceful mindset or aggravate an existing problem? In this post, let’s explore the truth behind ‘talking’ through Gibran’s timeless poem.

A Mystical Poet(Part 5)

A house is not just a concrete structure. It has a life of its own, sheltering you, nourishing you, and pacifying you. The way you build it, where you build it, and how you see it can influence you a great deal. So, Here is a beautiful prose poetry by Gibran on houses.

A Mystical Poet(Part 4)

Hi friends, I hope you are all doing well. We all go through some tough periods in life, like losing a loved one, being betrayed, or failing at something. Somehow, you bounce back. If you are still in such a tough situation, let me tell you something “It Will Pass” and you will become stronger than before. Because, I have been there too, my friend. This poem by Khalil Gibran gave me clarity at such times.

A Mystical Poet(Part 3)

Hi folks, today, Gibran will talk about what it truly means to give? Hope you enjoy reading it!

A Mystical Poet(Part 2)

I was confused till my teenage years as to why there were so many religions and gods. And why we were fighting and killing each other in the name of religion despite all religions preaching compassion and tolerance? What if religion makes you fear god than love god? Is religion even necessary to live a deeper life? If you were confused or still confused, this eye-opening piece by Gibran answers all these questions gracefully.

A Mystical Poet

If the world’s wisdom were to transform into a song, Then Kahlil Gibran would be the composer. A close friend of mine recommended his book ‘The Prophet’ to me, then I rushed to the college library to borrow the book. I went to a scenic silent place, sat down, and started reading. When I was doing that, Time came to a standstill. Even the trees and birds seemed to be reading along with me. I became one with the melody of the book and was filled with unparalleled joy. I wanted you to experience the same. Therefore, I have decided to share one piece a day from his book. Hope you will love it too!