Wisdom’s Seven Pillars – Pillar #4 Quietness –

“Wisdom has built her house, she has carved out her seven pillars:”
Proverbs 9:1.
The aim of this series is to present a non-cliche, non-religious point of view of wisdom. I do subscribe to some religious interpretations of the subjects addressed, but wish to here, only point out the common understanding of the principles.

 

 “Those who know do not talk. Those who talk do not know. Keep your mouth closed… this therefore is the highest state of man.”
– Tao Te Ching 56

 

“One who will not accept solitude, stillness and quiet recurring moments…is caught up in the wilderness of addictions; far removed from an original state of being and awareness. This is ‘dis-ease.”
― T.F. Hodge, From Within I Rise: Spiritual Triumph Over Death and Conscious Encounters with “The Divine Presence”

More harm is done to both reputation and relationships by my words more than any other thing I do. My first inclination should be quietness, calmness, and contemplation of the matter at hand. When I’m offended, hurt, or angry, I must keep my mouth shut, at least initially. Keeping the secrets and confidence placed on me, holding my thoughts and tongue, I protect myself and others. Talking about injustices done to me only keeps the hurt alive and fans the flames of anger. Quietness is a refuge, in contrast expressing my opinion at every turn is never necessary. There are times to express myself, but only when these conversations are governed by wisdom’s pillars. I must show restraint when my heart bursts to speak, when my stomach aches to exact verbal revenge on those who are against me, when my pride wants to tell everything I think I know. Holding my tongue and keeping knowledge and opinions to myself produces confidence and inspires the same in others around me. In quietness and confidence is my strength.

Also published in Broowaha Magazine 

Related Links: Pillar #1 – Humility; Pillar #2 – Peace;  Pillar #3 – Seriousness; Pillar #4 – Quietness; Pillar #5 Mercy; Pillar #6 – Easily Entreated; Pillar #7 – Higher Source

03042012

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Briars –

“If you don’t feel the pointed things in life, you’ll soon take the soft ones for granted.”
― John Everson, Cage of Bones & Other Deadly Obsessions

gitsandshiggles1

Pushing through these thorny opinions and games which

like spinning through the clouds that have lost their

curved softness and have gained a razors edge with every

boiling motion of agitation.

Haunted by my mind and it’s incessant gathering of

these long stemmed painful abrasions seeping with

the sweet sap of noxious compliments all meant to

disarm and take advantage.

Lasting harm is at a strong disadvantage given

the scars and foreknowledge of a paranoid state

for what is plainly seen is scarcely real or continuous

except in my unseen world.

 

First Published in Opinionsofeye.com

 

Unrelenting

“The basic thing nobody asks is why do people take drugs of any sort? Why do we have these accessories to normal living to live? I mean, is there something wrong with society that’s making us so pressurized, that we cannot live without guarding ourselves against it?” – John Lennon

pow-pow

Coming in a sudden burst, forcing itself, peace a detrimental casualty
Pressure from expectation, performance under intense scrutiny

Unrelenting, the pressure builds

Unforgiving, the anger burns

Undelivered, the solace capitulates

Closing my eyes makes me a target, can’t hide from the squeeze

speaking in halted phrases, tongue on fire with words that tease

Undeniable, the pain is exquisite

Unbreakable, the vice of lies

Unchanging, the facades of players

Praying for release, the knotted feeling in my stomach grows

a fist pushing its way up my throat, agony in my neck it shows

Unprovoked, the attacks keep coming

Unstable, love’s foundations destroyed

Unanswered, questions form opinions

Where is the breaking point of my brilliant mind and tenuous sanity?

What will happen when it all falls, without conscience, no lucidity?

Unrelenting acquisition of carefully sifted fantasies 

09182012

Through the Mist – Finding a way through opinions

“At night the fog was thick and full of light, and sometimes voices.” 

– Erin Bow, Plain Kate

 

For times and times of multiplied times, I tip-toe through the water colored grays and whites of opinions fog, misty coverings over the truest paths. Stepping off my way, slipping on changing whims of irrelevant interventions, I draw blood, bleeding discouragement, marking my errant route. Sitting on rocks of stubborn pride, I bind the wounds of disillusionment. I sought a torch of brilliant revelation to guide me as the north star, with steady light, steady direction, and comfort in a sure way. What will I use as fuel for this flame that licks the mist from the air? My spirit, deeper than the mind, deeper than the soul, found in the stillness of my chamber, provides urns of truth that ignite my blaze of illumination. Confidently waving my baton of bright dancing tongues, plainly the path stands clear. Excuse my hasty advance past you idle players of hate and jealousy, I am committed to the summit of my life. See my flame high on this mountain, follow me you lost and wandering souls, we will climb above the clouds.

Fear – Futility in interpreting thoughts

“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past I will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain.” – Frank Herbert, Dune   

 

zastavki

Woke me up, your thoughts to see

nothing true, nothing real

only fear

I think what you think of me

nothing true,  nothing real,

only fear

I look around, your opinions to see

nothing true, nothing real

only fear

It keeps my mind from seeing me

nothing true, nothing real

only fear

I look behind, its you I see

nothing true, nothing real

only fear

Thoughts can no longer hold me

I can make them true, I can make them real

no fear.

Also published in Broowaha Magazine