Tags
Dolly Parton, Faith, Inner Voice, Life, Parker J. Palmer, Philosophy, Random, Religion, Soul, Spirituality, Writing
“I am a Seeker, a vessel empty and useless, a bad seed fallen by the way” —
These are the lines from a Dolly Parton Song – titled I Am A Seeker.
An empty vessel, a bad seed, the song carries a message of where we have been or where we maybe at this moment in our life. A soul without light and purpose, where every footstep we take is backwards, when every path the wrong direction. The song continues, “ you are the teacher, you are the keeper.” Who and where is that teacher, the keeper of keys to our soul? That is the journey the journey we all must take – we are all seekers.
And within the soul of that seeker there sits a flame – awaiting fuel for it’s fire. That fuel is found in many spiritual places, writings and words of great teachers. As the seeker continues his quest for truth, truth will reveal itself in the words and writings that sit before him. A book here, a scripture there, the voice in a song set to touch the heart and soul.
A writer I came upon a few years ago at a bookstore in O’Hare Airport is a man by the name of Parker J. Palmer. It was in the from a little book entitled , Let Your Life Speak. This was my first encounter with a Quaker writer and I was so taken back by the its content of this little book I forwarded it on to my brother who is a Catholic deacon and a Chaplin at a recovery center. I then ordered another of his books, A Hidden Wholeness, the title he took from the monk I wrote about prior. In exploring Palmer’s beliefs I had come full circle to that of Merton – what a hidden wholeness just in that experience, but Palmer had more to teach me. In both Let You Life Speak and in A Hidden Wholeness, Palmer talks candidly about the shyness of the soul, a creature who if in our current social circle should attempt to reveal itself is subject to ridicule and question that too often sends the soul retreating from the worlds storm clouds.
And in this I must ask myself, – Am I a Shelter or am I the Storm – for the souls around me? How can I fill my vessel as a seeker and help others fill theirs in this world without the fear of ridicule and retreat? To say I have the answer to these questions I would be speaking falsely – for it is a daily journey and the steps I take are often times backwards.
Parker Palmer writes in A Hidden Wholeness :
“The soul wants to give us life and wants us to pass that gift along, to become life giving to a world that deals to much in death.”
May the path you walk in the world be one that is life giving and receiving, and may it feed the flame of your soul in all you choose to do.
… signed bkm
Signed bkmackenzie 
Comments always welcome —
Very well said! We are soul, we are spirit, we are not separated from soul, nor can we be. Our soul/spirit does sometimes take a back seat to our ego. Ego believes it is separate from source and is loud and tries to override spirit. Our cultures encourage ego, for it is thought that ego is strong. The ego is not strong, it is weak and fragile and the cause of much suffering.
As we increase our awareness we begin to understand that the ego is a false self and that our soul/spirit is the authentic self. This is one of the greatest lessons we can master.
Thank you so much Mark for your thoughts and words. Yes, the ego is very weak and easily devastated – learning to accept the soul/spirit is a profound journey. Thank you for sharing yours —
“You have to know when to hold em, know when to fold em know when to walk away, know when to run….” Kenny Rogers… poker metaphor for engagement?? 🙂
I had to start with that… thank you for the references, a writer I will look up.
Thoughtful comments… Personally, it seems you took a step forwadr here however, not back, especially sharing your journey.. always a step in a forward motion!! cindy
Thanks Cindy – your comments are encouraging – glad you stopped by. So many good writers out there, the times are getting rough for alot of people – hope all is well with you. Another excellent book that is new on the shelfs – is called – “Broken Open” by Elizabeth Lesser — she is open and speaks to real people.
Thank you – I Love the Kenny Roger’s song – sometimes it is good to let go and move on.
barbara
“Am I a Shelter or am I the Storm. . .” Well said. That’s a question I often ask myself. “Love your neighbor as yourself,” is a commandment that I desire to fulfill in my daily walk, but so often fail at. The obstacle of course is my stubborn concern for myself. Truth has been revealed. It’s the choice of following its path that keeps me, and all of us, from living and sharing love.
Thank you taking time to seek and sort out these deep thoughts so that you can share with us. You are a blessing.
I’ve been deeply influenced by Parker.
Roger,
Thank you for stopping in. Yes, I too, am glad to have come across Parker – his writing is very straight forward and calming. Thank you for you comments.
blessings –