who I wish to honor here, a good friend.
She is Indian (Asia). This photo just fit perfectly, my post:
WHO AM I....
The
lover knocked at the door of his beloved. “Who knocks?” said the
voice from within. “It is I,” said the lover.
"Go
away. This house will not hold you and me.”
The
rejected lover went away into the desert. There he meditated for
months on end, pondering the words of the beloved. Finally he
returned and knocked at the door again.
"Who
knocks?”
"It
is You.”
The
door was immediately opened.
The
'voice' inside the house is God in heaven. Then there is me, Pride,
attempting entrance. I learned one attribute is intolerable in
heaven—egotistical PRIDE!
Two,
maybe three poems ever I've written, for which I was proud. That
feeling, like 'job well done' coursed through my body's highways. Not
sinful, that.
Also, during my violin career...hundreds of times I 'knew' the performance was above average--grin! Not sinful, that...only a recognition of God's gift to me.
Also, during my violin career...hundreds of times I 'knew' the performance was above average--grin! Not sinful, that...only a recognition of God's gift to me.
It
is the art of “putting somebody down” or embarrass them in
public, to build myself up...at which I am an expert, BTW. And that
is BAD pride—for me.
Also,
when I portray myself as 'less than' you, it is my bad Pride—Humility
in reverse. That will also keep me out of that house.
...and whenever my motive in helping another, is to further my own perceived superiority-now THAT is big-time sinful behavior.
...and whenever my motive in helping another, is to further my own perceived superiority-now THAT is big-time sinful behavior.
I
love it when 'she' says, “There is not room enough here for both of
us"--the 'one of us' being Ego!
Well, there are SO many lessons to be learned...even at this late date. (Back to the desert--grin!)
Well, there are SO many lessons to be learned...even at this late date. (Back to the desert--grin!)
Of
course, the story “Who Am I?” is from De Mello, “SONG OF THE
BIRD” Page 99...I posted it also about two years ago, and just
needed to read it again. So YOU, the Peeps may read it again
also—if ya wish.
Without
a trace of Ego, or Pride, I write to you all now:
Love...and
PEACE
steveroni
P.S. I SO glad that God is a forgiving Peep!!!
Maybe Susan Deborah will forgive me also?--grin
P.S. I SO glad that God is a forgiving Peep!!!
Maybe Susan Deborah will forgive me also?--grin
Very poignant, Steve...and thought provoking.
ReplyDeleteI'll soon be starting my 7th week in India....have had a great time thus far until a case of Deli Belly felled me nearly 96 hours ago.
Oh, well, everything can't be perfect, can it?
oh i think she will and nice flash back my friend...it always comes back to one thing...and that is God.
ReplyDeletei adore the prose...it sounds much like hafiz or rumi but i think not..did i miss it? i will check back...anyway my dear steve, i see you have been busy while i was gone from blogland...you are a wonderfully gifted writer and don't let that go to your head and give you some sort of pride-filled elation either. never let it be said i led any man into the depths of hell. ;) xox
ReplyDeletesmiles..i'm also glad that god is forgiving.. think for each of us it is another topic that shuts us out of this house...for one it may be pride, for me it's...whatever...ha...smiles
ReplyDeleteCLAUDIA!
ReplyDeleteYou know I Fuc*** up, commenting to YOU on Brian's post, thinking you wrote it. Gave you terrific marks anyway! thanks for coming here tonight (morning!)
And Pride is only one of seven...I realize--just cannot handle more than one at a time--grin!
LINDA!
Glad to see you, girl! It is Anthony De Mello...I must have put his name somewhere? Will look again.
Hope you OK....
PEACE
BRIAN MILLER!
At my age, Brian...EVERYTHING is a flashback! One day, you will know, but it ain't ALL BAD, man!
RNSANE!
7 weeks in that most beautiful of places, full of SO many natural riches, also TOO many poorest-of-the-poor.
Sorry to read you are (hopefully it is "WERE" sick. Several weeks ago, I wrote in a comment I wished that I was going WITH you. I meant it! I mean everything which is not proceeded by a --grin!
I have now Three girls and one man--blog friends in India, learning a lot about the differing customs, in different areas. "Culture-mingling" abounds!
Get well...NOW! A prayer now is for you.......
PEACE!
Nice reflection Steve!! We'll continue learning till the end.
ReplyDeleteSuch a lot here to absorb. I always enjoy visiting you and your talent for sharing just the right message.
ReplyDeletegOd is all there is.
ReplyDeleteBut you know that ;-)
I think of you and Anna often.
This is very good, it thrilled my heart.
ReplyDeleteCRYSTAL MARY!
ReplyDeleteI can only say Thank You! WOW! I go to sleep in few minutes--wearing a smile. Blessings to you, Mary!
KRISTIN!
Yup...we each 'know' what we 'know', and that is amazing, consoling, and bonding of friendships. Thanks for coming here.
Love and PEACE!
MAGPIE!
Girl, you just visit here as much as suits you. I love having you here, even if only lurking. BUT REALLY APPRECIATE you comments--grin!
PEACE!
ANN FRANK!
Well, you DO understand. It's like that baseball game. "It ain't over 'til it's over!" BRILLIANT! Loved your poem today....
Wise words on both parts, Steve, and reminders we all need now and then.
ReplyDeleteSteve, I am honoured. Thanks. You make me so overwhelmed with joy. Ah, no forgiveness here. Only love.
ReplyDeleteI thank God for him and the little joys he bestows upon us.
Have a great Sunday, dear Steve :)
Joy always,
Susan
I love this beautiful poetic reflection on pride and ego! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reminder! - where is the bird- p.99 ?
ReplyDeleteCome to the embers of the heart early
offer the first sip of coffee to HP; sit down and listen for guidance.
Oh Steve, I am filled with joy when I read your blog.
ReplyDeleteThank you for your thoughts ...
I'll come more often, to read.
Yes, this little story I read in your blog ... Two years have already passed? ... It applies today as it was back then ...
Greetings from Cosima.
IZZY!
ReplyDelete"The Song of the Bird" by Anthony De Mello. (Hope you are ready for this:
The disciples were full of questions about God.
Said the Master, "God is the Unknown and the Unknowable, Every statement about him, every answer to your questions, is a distortion of the truth."
The disciples were bewildered. "The why do speak about him at all?"
"Why does the bird sing?" said the Master.
Not because it has a statement, but because it has a song.
The words of the scholar are to be understood. The words of the Master are not to be understood. They are to be listened to, as one listens to the wind in the trees, and the sound of the river and the song of the bird. They will awaken something within the heart that is beyond all knowledge.
Jessie!
Yup, we've heard it before, and we will hear it again. The song of the bird is not always the same for everyone, least the same for me/us.
It is good you are here!
Susan Deborah!
This is GREAT! "...no forgiveness...only love." Those are God-words, Ma'am! Thanks for your permission--after the fact--to photo of yourself, from your blog! It is NICE. reminds me of that princess ready to let her hair down for Rumpelstiltskin--Grin!
<3 and PEACE!
PATTIKEN!
Shame on me--I have not been to your blog last few days, my friend. But soon, OK? Thanks for commenting!
Thank you Steve for inviting me to read this. Of course, it's our goddess of love, Susan Deborah! She's love incarnate. Always full of goodness, kindness and grace!
ReplyDeleteSmiles,
Silver
Oh how I want to be let in into that door in the desert :)
ReplyDeleteOCEAN GIRL!
ReplyDeleteTo be given entrance--Ah, yes. I'm certain, that in the whole known and unknown Universe, whatever place you wish to enter, the door will be open, the Peeps inside, waiting--for YOU!
PEACE! Oceania.
ANONYMOUS SILVER!
Thank you dropping by...and commenting also. Just thought you'd recognize the "Girl-in-the-Window", Susan Deborah.
Keep living the happy life, without stress or distress.
PEACE!
What a gorgeous shot of Susan! She is just beaming with joy! And it makes you just want to beam right with her... which I'm doing right now. :-)
ReplyDeleteAnd the words you shared from De Mello... a good reminder with which to start a new day... and a new week. I just have to try and remember...
Thank you for this very inspiring post, Steve!
Nevine
I love that story. It says a lot about peoples' egos and how they get in our way oftentimes.
ReplyDeleteGood stuff, Steve!
Yeah Joe...I never could stand a 'blowhard'...and then I became one-HA!
ReplyDeleteEven then I figured it was 'everyone else' pushing my buttons.
THEN I found out, nobody can 'push my buttons' if I don't HAVE any
Hey, I just spilled out to you my whole life story...how 'bout that?
Thanks for dropping by, and also commenting--letting us know where and who you are.
PEACE, man!
NEVINE!!!
De Mello also says we should not 'try' too hard.
Steve says If we are good-hearted and compassionate, likely we are on the right track! For a long time--I have felt YOU to be one of those on the right tracks, zooming through the mountain passes!
Yesss, Susan Deborah's photo was a real "find". I'm considering using it twice--grin! For the next post also? (sigh!)
Thank you greatly for dropping by, enjoy, and learn, and accept PEACE, during your quasi BLOG-hibernation.
Amazing post and she is a good person:).
ReplyDeleteloved the post, loved the pic much more...
ReplyDeletePride- you've described many forms of it.....
I suffer every form of this disease.. every form of all the seven deadly diseases :(