SEEING BEAUTY - Photography as visual poetry, part 3

A Happy and Healthy New Year and may 2012 bring many positive changes!

Greetings, Susanne

Another excerpt and favorite poem from my book "Seeing Beauty - Photography as visual poetry"

(available at www.blurb.com or contact me directly)

WE HAVE NOT COME TO TAKE PRISONERS 

We have not come to take prisoners, 

But to surrender ever more deeply 

To freedom and joy. 

We have not come into this exquisite world 

To hold ourselves hostage from love. 

Run my dear, 

From anything 

That may not strengthen 

Your precious budding wings. 

Run like hell my dear, 

From anyone likely 

To put a sharp knife 

Into the sacred, tender vision 

Of your beautiful heart. 

We have a duty to befriend 

Those aspects of obedience 

That stand outside of our house 

And shout to our reason 

"O please, O please, 

Come out and play." 

For we have not come here to take prisoners 

Or to confine our wondrous spirits, 

But to experience ever and ever more deeply 

Our divine courage, freedom, and 

Light! 

(Hafiz) 

'The Gift' Poems by Hafiz - translations by Daniel Ladinsky

SEEING BEAUTY - Photography as visual poetry, part 2

More excerpts from my book "SEEING BEAUTY - Photography as visual poetry 

(available at www.blurb.com or contact me directly).

This is by far my favorite Hafiz poem.

Merry Christmas and many blessings, 

Love and Light - Susanne

EACH SOUL COMPLETES ME 

My Beloved said, 

"My name is not complete without yours." 

I thought: 

How could a human's worth ever be such? 

And God knowing all our thoughts - and all our 

thoughts are innocent steps on the path - 

then addressed my heart, 

God revealed 

a sublime truth to the world, 

when He sang, 

"I am made whole by your life.
Each soul, 

each soul completes 

me." 

(Hafiz) 

'Love Poems From God' by Daniel Ladinsky

SEEING BEAUTY - Photography as visual poetry, part 1

Over 2 years ago I published an online book (on Blurb, www.blurb.com) with the title 

"SEEING BEAUTY - Photography as visual poetry". I want to share some of it on this blog.

An excerpt from the introduction:

"I believe there is a beauty beyond our sense perceptions, a beauty both so profound and humbling, and I hope my photographs provide the viewer with an intimation, or reflection, of that beauty.

Mystical poetry is an important source of inspiration in my daily life. Poet saints such as Rumi and Hafiz speak about beauty and love in a way that transports me to a realm beyond words, lets me taste the divine - if only for a moment - and enables me to forget all worldly tribulations.

It only seems natural for me to combine my photographs with poetry, and very often it is as if the poem and image find each other in a magical way.

May this selection of photographs and poems lift your spirit and bring joy and healing into your life.

Art is the conversation between lovers.

Art offers an opening for the heart.

True art makes the divine silence in the soul

break into applause.

(Hafiz)

translation by Daniel Ladinsky

A grateful heart

Being grateful and feeling appreciation - even for the smallest gestures and things in life - will help you to stay centered, find more joy and most importantly will open your heart. When you catch your mind dwelling on some negative thoughts - stop, take a deep breath and pay attention to what you are doing and appreciate the moment. It can be as simple as being grateful for water and soap while washing your hands!

Here are some thoughts on Gratitude from the "Soul Coaching Cards" by Denise Linn:

"Gratitude is the secret to a joy-filled life. True thankfulness can work like modern-day alchemy, yielding happiness and peace beyond imagination. And it's so simple: find what's good and wonderful in every moment. No matter what's happening around you, there's always something to be grateful for. Whatever you appreciate in life will grow, so discover what you're thankful for - even the people and situations you've found challenging -  and watch miracles unfold."

Be grateful and smile - Susanne

To all of us

11.11.11. - people all over the world (and beyond...) gather today in ceremonies, prayer and meditations to express their gratitude, joy, love and are setting intentions for peace, abundance.... whatever your hearts desire is.

Remember and reconnect with the magnificent being you are!!

Be grateful and believe in miracles - no matter how small they are.

Spread the joy and love - wherever you are.

Peace, Susanne

Elements of design and geometry

As a follow up from my previous post - grasses, reeds and sedges are interesting subjects to look for to find abstract and geometric designs. Reeds growing in water are especially nice due to their reflections and mirror like images. The white spot in the last photo is the reflection of the moon. Enjoy!

Susanne

Elements of design in nature

It is always a fun task to look for elements of design in nature like lines, curves, certain shapes or the seemingly random placement of pebbles or stones on a beach. The following photos were taken at a recent visit to the Porcupine Mountains in Michigan.

Susanne