Song Lyric Sunday: Imagine

Helen’s prompt for this week’s Song Lyric Sunday is “Healing.” The song that came to my mind when I read the prompt was John Lennon’s Imagine. Its tune and lyrics have touched me from the first time I heard it. I believe that only healing would lead us to the world that he so powerfully describes. May his dream become a reality some day.

Imagine was written and sung by John Lennon in 1971.

Lyrics

Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today… Aha-ah…

Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion, too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace… You…

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world… You…

You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope someday you’ll join us
And the world will live as one

John Lennon – vocals, piano
Klaus Voormann – bass
Alan White – drums
The Flux Fiddlers – strings

Yeonmi Park: Escaping North Korea

My son sent me this video a few days ago. I found it heartbreaking to listen to her story. I’ve been thinking about whether or not I should post it and decided at a time when refugees are being turned away, the more people who listen to her the better.

From: 2014 One Young World Summit

The Ideals To Which We Are Beholden

Sreejit from The Seekers Dungeon just wrote and published a new song. It is called The Ideals To Which We Are Beholden. The song is sobering and I believe it is a good reflection of the time in which we live. There is much in it that is worthy of contemplation.

Lyrics

When some are hailed as chosen it means others will be outcast – when greed defines our self-worth, we tighten poverty’s grasp – we’re all looking for happiness while pretending we’re not heartbroken – are you at peace with the ideals to which you are beholden?

The backs of others don’t make for a steady road – no one looks up to the boot against their throat – but our status is the one thing to which we have devotion– are you at peace with the ideals to which you are beholden?

We defend the words we know we have misspoken, we seek to teach before we truly have awoken, we soldier on though our beliefs are corroding – are you at peace with the ideals to which you are beholden?

We close the borders to keep our freedom safe, we close our hearts because rejection we cannot take – with love little more than a token notion, are you at peace with the ideals to which you are beholden?

The innocent, who never had a chance because they were pawns in a power brokers dance, lay scattered, collateral is the word that’s softly spoken – are you at peace with the ideas to which you are beholden?

Oh mother, won’t you take your truth from me, and sing me back to sleep, just sing me back to sleep. I know the world is longing to be free, but sing me back to sleep, just sing me back to sleep. It takes so much good to destroy a little bit of evil so sing me back to sleep, just sing me back to sleep. But now you’ve destroyed my peace and I cannot sleep, so bring the fight to me, just bring the fight to me.

Song Lyric Sunday: For the Record- Kumbaya

Helen’s direction for this week’s Song Lyric Sunday is to share a song about respect. My son, Sreejit Poole, recently wrote a blues song called For the Record- Kumbaya. I think his song is both profound and deeply moving. I have been looking forward to sharing it with those who read my blog and the Song Lyric Sunday community.

Sreejit lives at Amma‘s ashram in Amritapuri, India. His blog is The Seeker’s Dungeon

This short introduction precedes the singing.

Why do we call it civil rights instead of basic human decency?
The wings of science and spirituality, or possibility and love, should foster a world where no one has to beg for respect
– but limited is our vision when our intelligence we neglect
or we try to fly with one wing, as the case may be.

Song Lyrics (The lyrics are also written on the video.)

I’ve got a pen and a thought,
I’ve got a story trapped deep in my heart,
I’ve got a freaky little way to start.
but it seems the words don’t want to come out, I’m feeling a little restless now.

Who read my soul, who read my soul and turned away.
Who read my soul and turned away.

Kumbaya My Lord, Kumbaya
Kumbaya My Lord
– but for the record, the words don’t want to come out ’cause I’m not feeling very holy now.

I’ve got a pen and a thought,
but I’m scared to write the words for the power they’d impart.
I’ve got a lot of careless things to say,
I’ve got a lot of minds to mold my way.

Who read my soul, who read my soul and turned away.
Who read my soul and turned away.

Kumbaya My Lord, Kumbaya
Kumbaya my Lord
– but for the record, the words don’t want to come out ’cause I’m not feeling very holy now.

Who read my soul and turned away.
because they didn’t have the time for more than just a smile, and a “have a nice day?”

True love it comes from above, and I don’t expect it,
but a little bit would be fine with me.
It would be fine with me.

Kumbaya My Lord, Kumbaya
Kumbaya my Lord
– but for the record, the words don’t want to come out ’cause I’m not feeling very holy now.

Lord come quickly ‘cause I’m falling down.
You better catch hold, ‘cause I’m not gonna catch hold.

Lord I’m running never to be found,
unless you catch hold, ‘cause I’m not gonna catch hold.

Lord come quickly ‘cause I’m falling down.
You better catch hold, ‘cause I’m not gonna catch hold.

Lord I’m running never to be found,
unless you catch hold, ‘cause I’m not gonna catch hold.

cropped-senior-salon

Shared with Senior Salon

Daily Prompt: Glitter

I took these photos at a Navaratri celebration in 2014. The awe I felt as the altar lights were turned on is still etched in my memory. For me, the experience started with glittering flames in a dark room.

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navaratri

Daily Prompt: Glitter

Song Lyric Sunday: Give Me Love

Helen’s direction for this week’s Song Lyric Sunday is to share a song about love. Yesterday, I watched Across the Universe with my friend Kathie from Chosen Perspectives. All of the songs in that musical were Beatles songs. The song I have chosen, Give Me Love, was not part of that movie, but watching the movie sure put the Beatles on my mind!

Give Me Love was written by George Harrison sometime in 1971-1972. During that period of his life, he was helping refugees of the Bangladesh Liberation War. George said this about the song:

This song is a prayer and personal statement between me, the Lord, and whoever likes it

I believe this prayer is in the hearts of many of us today. I have felt comforted as I listened to it and hope you do too.

Lyrics

Give me love
Give me love
Give me peace on earth
Give me light
Give me life
Keep me free from birth
Give me hope
Help me cope, with this heavy load
Trying to, touch and reach you with,
Heart and soul

Om m m m m m m m m m m m m m
M m m my lord. ..

Please take hold of my hand, that
I might understand you

Won’t you please
Oh won’t you

Give me love
Give me love
Give me peace on earth
Give me light
Give me life
Keep me free from birth
Give me hope
Help me cope, with this heavy load
Trying to, touch and reach you with,
Heart and soul

Om m m m m m m m m m m m m m
M m m my lord. ..

Amma Quote: Light a Small Lamp

Instead of cursing the darkness, let each one of us light a small lamp. Isn’t it because of darkness that we know the greatness of light?

Do not worry; the darkness cannot remain for long. Always remember that after every night, there is a dawn. Let us never lose our optimistic faith.

—Amma —

Music Beyond Borders: Voices From the Seven

During my Tai Chi class this morning, I learned that the Seattle Symphony gave a concert last night featuring music and musicians from the seven countries affected by the recent immigration executive order. It was streamed live on the Seattle Symphony website and also on Facebook Live.

I just finished watching the concert on YouTube. The music was incredible and I enjoyed being introduced to instruments that were new to me. My heart was so moved the performances that, by the end of the concert, tears were rolling down my cheeks.

This concert is an excellent example of how to build bridges instead of walls.

Lokah Samastha Sukhino Bhavantu
Om Shanti, Shanti, Shanti

May all beings in the world be happy.
Peace, Peace, Peace

DEAR ME

Yesterday, I read a post at Neal’s Epiphany that I thought was incredibly powerful. I don’t know how Neal sees it, but using my psychotherapy frame, I see him as having written a beautiful letter to his inner child. Neal has graciously consented to me sharing his letter with all of you.

Neal's Epiphany

Dear Me,

You and I go way back, to the beginning. We’re one hundred percent connected in a way no one will–or could ever–understand. We’ve been there, standing together. Sometimes crying in the shower, sometimes snorting through our nose, but it’s always been you and me. Always and forever…

Or so it was supposed to be, but some time ago I left you–

I left you floundering on your own, to rely on love and encouragement and strength from others–from strangers–when it was I who should have held you up. When it was I who should have hugged you and praised you and appreciated you for the wondrous person you are–for all the beauty and life you bring to this world.

I seldom tell you how much I love you. How much I admire you. How beautiful and caring and intelligent and strong you are. That you are my hero.

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Seattle: A Sanctuary City

Seattle is a sanctuary city and proud of it. On this day that our new President signed an executive order blocking federal funds to sanctuary cities, I feel compelled to share the signs that I saw in my neighborhood when I came home from India last week. They speak for themselves.