Poetry Chaikhana Sacred Poetry from Around the World

Secular or Eclectic 18th Century	About Johann Wolfgang Goethe Timeline (1749 - 1832)
<<Previous Poem | View All Poems by Johann Wolfgang Goethe | Next Poem >>
English version by Peter Salm Original Language German	Ha! A rush of bliss (from Faust)
Commentary by Ivan M. Granger Themes   Bliss   Dawn   Death   Fire   Heart   Recommended Books Faust, by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe / Translated by Peter Salm News of the Universe: Poems of Twofold Consciousness, Edited by Robert Bly	Ha! A rush of bliss flows suddenly through all my senses! I feel a glow, a holy joy of life which sets my veins and flesh afire. Was it a god that drew these signs which soothe my inward raging and fill my wretched heart with joy, and with mysterious strength reveal about me Nature's pulse? Am I a god? The light pervades me so! In these pure ciphers I can see living Nature spread out before my soul. At last I understand the sage's words: “The world of spirits is not closed: your mind is shut, your heart is dead! Pupil, stand up and unafraid bathe your earthly breast in morning light!” How things are weaving one in one; each lives and works within the other. Heaven's angels dip and soar and hold their golden pails aloft; with fragrant blessings on their wings, they penetrate the earthly realm from Heaven and all make all resound in harmony. What pageantry! But alas, a pageant and no more! Where shall I clasp you, infinity of Nature? You breasts, where? You wellspring of all life? Heaven and earth depend on you -- toward you my parched soul is straining. You flow, you nourish, yet I crave in vain.     -- from Faust, by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe / Translated by Peter Salm Amazon.com
<<Previous Poem | View More Poems by Johann Wolfgang Goethe | Next Poem >>

Commentary by Ivan M. Granger

This section of Goethe's Faust is worth deep contemplation. Only a genuine mystic, or someone very familiar with descriptions of mystical union, would know how to write a passage such as this.

The bliss experienced through the senses.
Being pervaded by light.
The quieting of the mind and emotions, the soothing of "inward raging."
The heart being filled with an indescribable joy.
The "pure ciphers," the awareness of essential emptiness or no-thing-ness, yet utter fulfillment in the experience of the radiant whole.
The transcendent awareness of Nature and the interconnectedness of things, "How things are weaving into one, / each lives and works within the other."
The full vessel or cup holding a heavenly liquid, the "golden pails."
A sublimely delightful fragrance or perfume.
The sense that everything is humming or vibrating in a symphonic harmony. Indeed, "What pageantry!"

Yet, to one not securely seated in the transcendent awareness, it can rise and then recede. Not yet possessing complete familiarity with the interior psychic terrain, how do you find your way back to that realm? It can suddenly seem all too ephemeral, intangible. Where is it? What is there to grab hold of?

The mystic must not merely stumble into the heavenly realm, but learn its pathways intimately, to return again and again until that bliss is recognized as one's true home.

Ivan M. Granger's original poetry, stories and commentaries are Copyright © 2002 - 2008 by Ivan M. Granger.
All other material is copyrighted by the respective authors, translators and/or publishers.