Comments on: Kamalakanta - Is my black Mother Syama really black? http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/blog/2008/11/19/kamalakanta-is-my-black-mother-syama-really-black/ Sacred Poetry from Around the World Sat, 20 Mar 2010 10:18:32 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.2 By: Anahita Mody http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/blog/2008/11/19/kamalakanta-is-my-black-mother-syama-really-black/#comment-2542 Anahita Mody Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:04:25 +0000 http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/blog/2008/11/19/kamalakanta-is-my-black-mother-syama-really-black/#comment-2542 This is indeed a very beautiful poem ! It brings to mind the words of Sri Ramakrishna the great mystic from Bengal, India on this very poem by Kamalakanta : " Is my Divine Mother of black complexion ? She appears black because She is viewed from a distance; but when intimately known She is no longer so. The sky appears blue from a distance but look at it close by & you will find that it has no colour.The water of the ocean looks blue at a distance but go near & take it in your hand, you find it to be colourless." Such is the nature of the Mother both formless & with form. She is the bestower of all Grace. Bondage & Liberation are both of Her making. By Her Maya one is entangled in this world of duality & by Her Grace one attains to Liberation. Thanks Ivan for this beautiful poem & the accompanying music & daily thought. All of which were very uplifting & inspiring. This is indeed a very beautiful poem !
It brings to mind the words of Sri Ramakrishna the great mystic from Bengal, India
on this very poem by Kamalakanta :
” Is my Divine Mother of black complexion ? She appears black because She is viewed from a distance; but when intimately known She is no longer so. The sky appears blue from a distance but look at it close by & you will find that it has no colour.The water of the ocean looks blue at a distance but go near & take it in your hand, you find it to be colourless.”
Such is the nature of the Mother both formless & with form. She is the bestower of all Grace. Bondage & Liberation are both of Her making. By Her Maya one is entangled in this world of duality & by Her Grace one attains to Liberation.

Thanks Ivan for this beautiful poem & the accompanying music & daily thought.
All of which were very uplifting & inspiring.

]]> By: Ivan M. Granger http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/blog/2008/11/19/kamalakanta-is-my-black-mother-syama-really-black/#comment-2483 Ivan M. Granger Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:42:56 +0000 http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/blog/2008/11/19/kamalakanta-is-my-black-mother-syama-really-black/#comment-2483 I'm so glad to hear that, Constance. For so long I read sacred poetry with that same frustrated feeling -- yes, the words are beautiful, but I knew there was something more going on. I always hope that my commentary and random thoughts help others to glimpse some of that deeper meaning... the real poetry in the poetry. But, no, no teaching at Naropa. At least not at this stage. I suspect I'd need more impressive credentials before being invited to talk at Naropa, either an academic degree or at least a well-received book. For now, I support myself quietly through part-time work as a computer programmer. At some point I suspect the gravity in my life will shift, and then, who knows, maybe you can come hear me talk at Naropa. (Thanks for the nudge in that direction!) Ivan I’m so glad to hear that, Constance. For so long I read sacred poetry with that same frustrated feeling — yes, the words are beautiful, but I knew there was something more going on. I always hope that my commentary and random thoughts help others to glimpse some of that deeper meaning… the real poetry in the poetry.

But, no, no teaching at Naropa. At least not at this stage. I suspect I’d need more impressive credentials before being invited to talk at Naropa, either an academic degree or at least a well-received book. For now, I support myself quietly through part-time work as a computer programmer. At some point I suspect the gravity in my life will shift, and then, who knows, maybe you can come hear me talk at Naropa. (Thanks for the nudge in that direction!)

Ivan

]]> By: Constance http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/blog/2008/11/19/kamalakanta-is-my-black-mother-syama-really-black/#comment-2480 Constance Wed, 19 Nov 2008 20:29:46 +0000 http://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/blog/2008/11/19/kamalakanta-is-my-black-mother-syama-really-black/#comment-2480 ...Without your commentaries, Ivan, the poems would be just words...beautiful words, intriguing, soothing or staccato, or whatever...but more or less, words....thank you once again. Do you do any teaching at Naropa ? Namaste, Constance …Without your commentaries, Ivan, the poems would be just words…beautiful words, intriguing, soothing or staccato, or whatever…but more or less, words….thank you once again. Do you do any teaching at Naropa ? Namaste, Constance

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