Sri Chinmoy's Poetry

I spend a lot of time reading spiritual poetry.
This is a selection of poems by Sri Chinmoy.

The Absolute

No mind, no form, I only exist;
Now ceased all will and thought;
The final end of Nature's dance,
I am it whom I have sought.

A realm of Bliss bare, ultimate;
Beyond both knower and known;
A rest immense I enjoy at last;
I face the One alone.

I have crossed the secret ways of life,
I have become the Goal.
The Truth immutable is revealed;
I am the way, the God Soul.

My spirit aware of all the heights,
I am mute in the core of the Sun.
I barter nothing with time and deeds;
My cosmic play is done.

Excerpt from “My Flute” by Sri Chinmoy

From: Poetseers.org

The Absolute is a succinct and powerful description of the highest transcendental consciousness. It is true words can never adequately describe a spiritual consciousness, but they can be like a “finger pointing to the moon” – an invitation to the silence beyond the words.

However as seekers, Nirvana can seem a long way from our present state. Therefore we often prefer poems which express suffering, because it is something we can easily identify with.

For example, with a poem such as The Golden Flute, we can identify with the first two paragraphs.

A sea of Peace and Joy and Light
Beyond my reach I know.
In me the storm-tossed weeping night
Finds room to rage and flow.

I cry aloud, but all in vain;
I helpless, the earth unkind
What soul of might can share my pain?
Death-dart alone I find.

However, although a spiritual Master such as Sri Chinmoy can identify with suffering, this is not the end. Suffering can and needs to be transformed into a higher state of consciousness. Many of Sri Chinmoy's poems reflect this transformation.

For example in this poem, the last paragraph unexpectedly changes the whole direction of the poem.

A raft am I on the sea of Time,
My oars are washed away.
How can I hope to reach the clime
Of God's eternal Day?

But hark! I hear Thy golden Flute,
Its notes bring the Summit down.
Now safe am I, O Absolute!
Gone death, gone night's stark frown!

From: My Flute at Poetseers.org
By: Sri Chinmoy


Because we have already identified with the poem, it now feels that this transformation of our consciousness is something we can achieve as well. This is why "The Golden Flute" is one of my favourite poems.