I wanted to share with you a passage from from Rilke's "Letter to a Young Poet" that inspires me to get a grip on my fears and be more courageous in the way that I live my life.
Rainer Maria Rilke is considered one of the great German poets but is probably most famous now because of his book "Letters to a Young Poet" written to a young Austrian army officer unhappy at the prospect of a military career. The young officer had written to Rilke for advice since Rilke had also been an army officer. The letters are filled with advice worth hearing - ranging from spirituality, to art, poetry, love and love.
The book is timeless and bears re-reading. There's also a fabulous recorded version of it that you can buy on the internet through audible.com. Some of the passages are absolutely stunning. This is one of my favorites - in fact I carry it on the front of my binder for this particular moment in my life. Enjoy:
- We have no reason to harbor mistrust against our world. For it is not against us. If it has terrors, they are our terrors. If has abysses, these abysses belong to us.
If there are dangers, we must try to love them. And if only we re-arrange our life in accordance with the principle which tells us that we must always trust in the difficult, then what now appears to us as the most alien will become the most intimate and trusted experience.
How could we forget those ancient myths that stand at beginning of all races? The myths about dragons that at the last moment transform themselves into princesses. Perhaps all the dragons of our lives are princesses who are only waiting to see us act, just once, with beauty and courage. Perhaps everything that frightens us is, in its deepest essence, something helpless that wants our love.
Rilke
Comments (6)
Lovely
Posted by: Ann on January 10, 2009 17:56
I find it amazing that some of the world's most respected writers - like Rilke or Tolstoi, have spent time in the service. Maybe having to conform on the outside pushes them to develop their interior lives.
Wonderful poem. Thanks!
Posted by: Richard on January 12, 2009 20:05
That poem is really something. I would never see things like this if it were not for you. Thanx
Posted by: Brian on January 12, 2009 23:03
I am crying
Posted by: Sara on January 13, 2009 00:41
This is often hard to do ,but a wonderful reminder to keep trying everyday. Thank you for the push Flavia
Posted by: Kevin on January 13, 2009 11:13
It is very hard to do. It is so easy to think that you can get by in this world alone, but that is a lonely and cold existence. I moved to Wisconsin not too long ago. All I had was me and my dog. It was so easy to feel the blues when it is cold and gray and your used to the sun. But I read something the other day that fits great with what you said. That God meant us to "be" with other people. That in this age of depression and anxiety and medications, that the best medication and cure for the blues or self pity is to enlarge yourself by helping others. It could be a small way or a big way, but reaching out does wonders for every soul involved. It could be a smile, or a touch on the shoulder. It could be listening to someone in need, and then praying for them. Or opening up your home to someone that needs a warm place to stay. There are as many ways to reach out as there are people. That is the best cure for the lack of sunshine in Wisconsin in the winter...make your own, and be a light for others. Thank you for touching on this...for touching us...you are a bright and warm light, and now I want to spread that light around!
Posted by: River on January 14, 2009 22:55