What is Grace?

The word grace has a range of meanings; it can be a noun or verb. One could say: the sun graces the earth with its light; or, a mountain graces us with its beauty; or, her movements were graceful. It can mean refinement, as in refinement of thought— which to me, leads to compassion, enlightenment, and surely forgiveness. It also leads to greater understanding. And inherent in understanding is love— is freedom. 

The great utility of knowledge— real education— is that the cage walls thin. Then there is music and dance— the dance with life, the greater acceptance, moreover homage to Self. And is not Self with a capital S... everything? 

And then there is the grace one might equate with spiritual matters. Like this poem by St. John of the Cross, which gets into it in a rather fascinating, concise, and poignant way. I chose the title of the poem to be the title of this blog post. 

Divine Grace is said to be the very foundation of the Christian faith; and it is said to be freely given. It is synonymous with life. It is: all that happens as the poem says. And then too, as Rumi tells us here. 

These two poems originally appeared in my Penguin anthology, Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West. I want to talk about the genesis of this nearly 400 page book, that has become something of a classic, and is now part of the spiritual literary landscape around the world. There is some wonderful whimsy— delightful playfulness & humor in this book. It has a great range.

It was, and still is, amazing to me that after 20 years of being in print, dear Oprah Winfrey (whom I have never met) gave it a fantastic endorsement. 

Another St. John of the Cross poem, “This Earth A Bow,” was the foundation and cornerstone of this book. This poem is one of the most beautiful poems I have ever worked on about death; and I hope someone will say it for this old cowboy when I pass on. 

You can read several poems from that book on this website. And I was going to say more about the book's genesis, but I now need to make this blog not too long. But will say: my first and primary agent of 7 years was previously an editor for the Vatican before becoming the publisher at Harper San Francisco; then for some 15 years he was at the very highest levels of Ave Maria Press which is connected to the University of Notre Dame. He really created that book, Love Poems from God, and was tremendous help with it; and really should have had his name on the cover along with mine, but in his humility he would not let me put it there. 

Also, my teacher in India, at the very onset of the book, seemed to me to have done something truly mystical with it. He sealed the book with the Sun — with God's touch— blessing— right before my eyes.

These two specific poems, by St. John of the Cross and Rumi , are, I feel, an integral part of and enhance my last two blogs. In some sophisticated ways (maybe too sophisticated in spots) the blogs address the current challenging and affecting-to-all-of-us world events. Such times our wings and hearts can be in, like now for me and millions.

You can find that Rumi poem from Love Poems from God on page 68 in the book and here, presented by a rather famous man, Webb Hubbell. And I like his presentation, though it is still missing the proper credit. Thanks Webb, for sharing my work with others.

Also, this Rumi poem is a perfect example to me of what I say at times about Rumi & Hafiz being Carl Jung times ten gone poet. I think you get a free, unique, elite session with Carl (and Rumi) here. What a deal.

And a homage to every aspect of our Self, to Existence; is there anyway out of the horrible madness of wars, and the wars that can be within our own mind, without that great bowing, great understanding, great love that every saint and buddha knows? 

What Is Grace? It is the impetus of all that moves. The golden wheat swaying in a field. Lovers touching. The sun on a kite string you hold. And all sounds.

A big hug. And dear ones— fly, dance the best you can. The Sky adores our wings and laughter touching it. And true: the sun is on a kite string you hold, bring it close.