Posted on by Tenneson Woolf

The Soul Is Here For Its Own Joy — Robert Bly

Yesterday I received a book, The Soul Is Here For Its Own Joy, edited and compiled by Robert Bly. The book’s subtitle is “Sacred Poems from Many Cultures.” All of that intrigues me. Invites me. Opens my heart. I’ve been paying particular attention to Robert Bly over the last 6 months. I love having this book.

Yesterday I received this book from my friend Roq. Roq and I go back 15 years now. We’ve road-tripped together literally and through important stages of our lives. We’ve shared dreams together. We’ve found our way to much meaning and purpose together. He is soul brother. Kind. Very thoughtful.

Yesterday I received this book from Roq as a gift forwarded from another man, Brian Hoover. Brian too is a soul brother. Brian died last fall. This gift of this book, was an offering from Brian’s collection, through Roq. I’m honored to have this book.

Today, I opened this book to peruse. My first find was Spanish Poet, Antonio Machado. I love this poem for itself, for it’s connection to Brian, to Roq, to Robert Bly.

For inspiration and appreciation of the great silence.

Is my soul asleep?
Antonio Machado

Is my soul asleep?
Have those beehives that work
in the night stopped? And the water-
wheel of thought, is it
going around now, cups
empty, carrying only shadows?

No, my soul is not asleep.
It is awake, wide awake.
It neither sleeps nor dreams, but watches,
its eyes wide open
far-off things, and listens
at the shores of the great silence.

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Gifts of Circle - Question Cardsasd
Gifts of Circle is 30 short essays divided into 4 sections: 1) Circle's Bigger Purpose, 2) Circle's Practice, 3) Circle's First Requirements, and 4) Circle's Possibility for Men. From the Introduction: "Circle is what I turn to in the most comprehensive stories I know -- the stories of human beings trying to be kind and aware together, trying to make a difference in varied causes for which we need to go well together. Circle is also what I turn to in the most immediate needs that live right in front of me and in front of most of us -- sharing dreams and difficulties, exploring conflicts and coherences. Circle is what I turn to. Circle is what turns us to each other."

Question Cards is an accompanying tool to Gifts of Circle. Each card (34) offers a quote from the corresponding chapter in the book, followed by sample questions to grow your Circle hosting skills and to create connection, courage, and compassionate action among groups you host in Circle.

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asd
In My Nature is a collection of 10 poems. From A Note of Beginning: "This collection of poems arises from the many conversations I've been having about nature. Nature as guide. Nature as wild. Nature as organized. I remain a human being that so appreciates a curious nature in people. That so appreciates questions that pick fruit from inner being, that gather insights and intuitions to a basket, and then brings the to table to be enjoyed and shared over the next week."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in In My Nature. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

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asd
Most Mornings is a collection of 37 poems. I loved writing them. From the introduction: "This collection of poems comes from some of my sense-making that so often happens in the morning, nurtured by overnight sleep. The poems sample practices. They sample learnings. They sample insights and discoveries. They sample dilemmas and concerns."

This set of Note Cards (8 cards + envelopes)  quotes a few favorite passages from poems in Most Mornings. I offer them as inspiration. And leave room for you to write personal notes.

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