A dialogue within
September 2010
By Akaksha Thakore
Ever told your body, mind and soul what you think of them? And heard what they had to say in turn?
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A body ballad
“I belong to you, you belong to me”
‘Oh really!” screamed my body
“You don’t relate to me much
Nor take good care as such
Where are you when I cry out in pain
Trying to get your attention in vain?”
“I’m right here, and I want to listen
With vitality, I will make you glisten
Just talk to me aloud and speak out
Instead of sulking with a pout”
“My ways are many and subtle
Often making you run and scuttle
The pain that bothers you so
Is my voice, didn’t you know?
“The more you ignore, the louder I will yell
My story the agony will tell
If you take a moment or two to be still
I will talk to you – I will
“Doctors are needed not
Right here lies what you have sought
Breathe, and allow us to reconnect
Never letting yourself disconnect
“For if you do
Let me warn you
It will get worse
You have seen me rehearse!
“Come back to me and love me like before
We shall stem the tide and reach the shore
It’s mutual care, my dear
Why store pain and fear?
“Set me free and I shall do likewise
Together in harmony we shall rise
Towards good health, energy, and zest
Let me govern, give your mind some rest”
“You speak so true, and I hear you now
To your wisdom, I humbly bow
I will pause and listen every once in a while
Keep talking, body, in your inimitable style.”
A memo to the mind
“It’s amazing how much you control me,
I want some peace, but you just won’t let me be
Pushing and pulling in every possible way
You tire me out every single day
Though you are in me, you have a life of your own
I can’t remember when these seeds I’d sown.”
“You sowed these seeds every time you let me go
Allowed me to turn from a friend into a foe
I’m restless and fidgety and need to be whacked
But instead, my whims you merrily backed
Even some loving discipline would have done
But you let me recklessly run
And so now I no longer ask
My impulses I enticingly mask
“Entice you do, take me on many a manipulative trip
Until on my emotions, I have zero grip
You create fanciful worlds, complex games, and drama
But heeding you creates such a hungama
I want to take charge, give shape to my life
Not let your volatile swings fill me with strife
“You can do that, my dear,” said my mind
“Some stillness and solitude you must find
Let me jump around while you sit and observe
Be my master, let me serve
Meditation and awareness will get you there
Absolute responsibility you must bear
For left to me, I won’t give up control
You risk a burning heart, a crying soul
So seize power, seize it now
Show me who’s the boss, make me bow.”
“Oh mind, I set off on this quest again
This time though, not in vain
The pursuit of mastery is an ongoing one
Riddled with challenges, sprinkled with fun
You shall aid my growth, not impede it
I will keep you in check, agile and fit
You are a worthy ally once I show you your place
This unique relationship I hereby embrace.”
Soulspeak
“Who am I and who are you?
Questions that are anything but new.
You are oft referenced, but seldom understood.
Do you stand for all that’s good?!”
“Good and bad are your labels,
I come from the land of fables.
Without a beginning, without an end –
Can your mortal mind comprehend?
You and I are separate and yet not,
I am what you have always sought.”
“You confuse me with all this.
Are you saying you are the source of all bliss?
How are we separate; in what ways same?
You are me, can I not claim?!”
‘Try to think and you risk losing sight;
Move away from me and you create this plight.
I am to be experienced, not deciphered.
I am the shepherd, you are the herd.
I am a fragment of the divine,
My voice is a Universal sign.
Just like the flame that belongs to a fire,
I am a part of consciousness higher.
But the flame unto itself is also whole,
So is complete every human soul.
Your ‘I’ is your ego; it makes you ‘you,’
Weaving reality around your worldview.
Ego keeps you distinct, but also separates;
Creates conflicts with the ‘others’, your earthly mates.
“I am your anchor, your link to all that IS,
The timeless connection that is never amiss.
Connect with me, see the miracle unfold;
At every step, your hand I will hold.
I have brought you forth and will take you back.
With soul by your side, there’s nothing you lack.”
“Such profundity has come my way
Guide me, oh soul, night and day.
Lift my spirits, make me congruent and whole,
That I may retain the truth as I play my worldly role.”