We are each what the other is.

There is a short, just over a minute, beautiful little film offered here, about half way down. 

I love this above quote in italic by Meher Baba, and plan to have a chapter of him in a hopefully, not-too-far-away book, I will talk about some. That quote is part of a couple of lines linked together, and have to do with a divine Oneness that is said to exist to those who truly see, and truly know.

And then there is even something beyond a conscious Oneness with everything (and maybe even the root of it), which Hafiz speaks about as being: “The magnificent effulgent sovereignty—that ground of Illumined Conscious Divine Nothing where the *Rose does ever bloom.” 

The Rose is a symbol for God, or the ultimate self of each of us. Ever-blooming signifies eternity.

But then, it seems to make sense that if one was one with Everything, you could be both everything and Nothing at the same time. Guess I/we will just have to wait to find out.

Hope to start working on a proposal with my agent to send off to Penguin, and if they don't bite, then to some other big publishers. It is for a publication that may become the most successful of my now seven so far with Penguin. But more important than that to me: it can tie in a lifetime of work and reference— and even set in motion a rather vast amount of unpublished work (and literary projects) that I can't see how I could ever possibly finish on my last furlong of maybe ten years left (at the most I suspect) on this planet. Which would then have me clocking in at 85 years old. 

OMFG. I think this old cowboy has lassoed enough comets that were whizzing by, and corralled enough wild stars, and ridden enough crazy bulls. Got enough rodeo scars. Yeah, what a rough ride life on earth can be. But sure, things can be sweet and fun too! Even ecstatic here and there.

The title for this book will be:

The Biography of Everyone 

Most of my previous blog posts be will parts of chapters I expound upon, in addition to going into some early childhood memories and significant life-changing experiences. And I will offer introductions to some of the many other book titles I have ideas for— and even offer poems & prose. I’ll even offer some scenes from my play (still in progress) titled: Michelangelo the Teacher, which at present, a majorish Hollywood writer and director has shown some interest in.

And with each of us being what the other is, would not knowing depths, beauty— and struggles, and the root of dreams in my own life, also be in knowing you? And really every creature? Therein: The Biography of Every Heart.

With so much to keep my hands busy typing away on the computer, going to keep several of my next blogs rather short for the next few weeks, so as to have time to polish up this proposal, and move along a book with a young, gifted woman poet. And thus, for a while, mostly offer links to poems with short comments, or videos like this, you can watch here if wanted. 

This video has a very special significance to me because of the following story: 

Years ago, back in the mid ‘90s, some controversy came up in my spiritual community when a rather charismatic and charming Harvard-educated gay man was on the verge of taking an important role in our community in America. 

I happened to go to India around that time, and my teacher, who was very aware of all this, said to me one day: 

"What does Hafiz have to say about all that?”

And I said, “I don't know.”

Then he said, “Well do a Fal-e Hafiz.”

A Fal-e Hafiz is a way of consulting Hafiz as an oracle, and is practiced by probably millions in the world each day.

So I held a copy of the complete Wilberforce Clarke-Hafiz translation, and became silent for a minute, said a little prayer, and opened up the book, and with the help of some of the vast footnotes some of the poems can have, crafted a unique rendering I titled: “It Happens All The Time In Heaven,” which can be seen on this very short video, and read here. And I like its presentation and annotation as it were, and the credit too that the video does not at all have; but was so glad to see this video. Indeed. 

I first published that poem in The Subject Tonight Is Love, as can be seen on page 45 of the Penguin edition of the book. Then also used the poem in A Year With Hafiz, on page 303. 

This is a wonderful video. And this poem has become, to me, very rightfully famous, and has reached a couple million people. It was featured in a highly-respected & very successful European publication, titled: The Poetry Pharmacy, by the well known William Sieghart; and then a subsequent publication in America by Penguin under a slightly different title: The Poetry Remedy. 

And indeed poetry can be a great help, a genuine remedy, a true oasis.

Write your own. And keep Hafiz & Rumi close; drink from their well, it will nourish the unfoldment of your golden wings. 

And I like this line about poetry I wrote last night after a second glass of wine, and felt was true: 

God is on a kite string we hold, poetry can bring close.

And an encore, of sorts, by Hafiz:

How can your golden wings unfurl in the cage of self?

My every poem offers a key to the lock on the Treasure.

—Hafiz

The Encore. That might be a good book title, Carl Jung could have parlayed (or maybe a Zen master). As isn't each day (and minute) that— at its best? 

Existence is the encore. Your movements and sounds— no matter their impetus (to one who truly sees, to one who really hears)— is the encore— is an applause. 

I delve into that in my last blog.

And if any are interested in any of my blogs that deal with some of ongoing horrific events in the Middle East, I have four which address that. The first one is titled, The Ultimate; that one got re-published by an excellent, esoteric online magazine, The Culturium. You could see their fine upscaled version of that blog, with art they have added in, here. 

So signing off for now. And good holidays to you from Santa and Buddha and me. Hope dear Santa, and dear Buddha don't mind me offering love from them. Bet they don't, cause:

        The moon an earring that fell from Buddha's

          and Santa's ear, and perched on a limb in 

             the sky. And wonderfully winks at us.

And helps the firmament be one big kiss, on a wild night of love. How did an elephant get midair in the sky? It must have known a wild night of love. I think I will try that.

And a few more words of Hafiz to put in your backpack on this journey:

Just one word I ever hear from the mountains,

from the ocean and rivers, and heaven: dance!

— Hafiz

A big hug. And good smooching with the beauty upon this earth, and wherever your gaze may fall. And indeed, indeed: dance!