| Poetry and music serve no practical purpose towards | | | | equally big business. |
| our survival as individuals or as a species. Despite this, | | | | Words, expertly chosen and ordered, can move us |
| both occupy a huge role in our lives. | | | | emotionally and inspire acts of supreme sacrifice and |
| "The pen is mightier than the sword", wrote Edward | | | | significance. Beyond "mere" pleasure, music features in |
| Bulwer-Lytton. Though physical weapons may yield | | | | just about every major faith/religion. It serves as a |
| physical submission, the heart and mind are only | | | | means of both expressing our devotion and raising our |
| hardened into opposition direction by such primitive | | | | consciousness towards some unseen, but undoubtedly |
| means. Sticks and stones may wound the flesh, but | | | | real, higher reality. |
| words have the power to penetrate the physical | | | | In daily life we face firstly the need to survive, then the |
| exterior and affect the immortal soul within. A mere | | | | need to find satisfaction upon the material plane. But |
| word, positive or negative, has the power to inspire or | | | | neither of these objectives feeds the hunger of the |
| destroy - be it from a girl/boy to whom we are | | | | Spiritual being that is our very essence. That we need |
| attracted, a boss, or potentially influential client... | | | | to seek, in abundance, fulfillment beyond mere survival |
| Poetry arranges words in patterns, and in so doing | | | | and perpetuation is evidence enough that we are |
| polarizes their power, focusing it to increased effect. | | | | more than just flesh and blood. |
| There is an enormous amount of poetry, and probably | | | | The sheer volume and diversity of poetry and music |
| much of it will have little effect on any particular reader. | | | | produced by mankind stands as testament to its |
| But somewhere among the universe of words we | | | | significance. It would take a lifetime and beyond to |
| can all find something that resonates. Even if you've | | | | experience it all, but by opening one's mind to sample |
| never read poetry before it can be a fruitful | | | | different genres we may find affinities in numerous |
| experience to spend the odd afternoon in your local | | | | directions. |
| library or bookstore perusing the poetry shelves. | | | | In using poetry/music as a key to Spiritual development |
| Music is more accessible. It surrounds us courtesy the | | | | we need to actively appreciate its message. To do |
| radio airwaves and (these days) the Internet. We're | | | | this we need to remove ourselves from external |
| taught to both recognize and produce music from the | | | | distractions and focus solely on the stimulus itself. It |
| nursery rhymes of the crib. It features throughout our | | | | needs to be experienced repeatedly to obtain its full |
| schooldays, perhaps we may learn to play or sing. As | | | | effect; a truly great work can be experienced |
| young people we identify with particular subcultures | | | | endlessly and each time yield a little more. |
| centered around music. And as adults we amass a | | | | But don't limit yourself to enjoying the creations of |
| collection of musical recordings on vinyl, tape, CD and | | | | others, however moving they may be. Experience the |
| latterly in digital form. | | | | satisfaction of creating your own words, music or both. |
| There are different ways of appreciating music. It is | | | | Writing is a superb form of release. Just sit with pen |
| often used as a soothing alternative to silence, | | | | & paper, or computer screen, and let yourself |
| enhancing our productivity on tasks menial or | | | | flow. You can always tidy it up later - if you want to. |
| otherwise. As mentioned above it provides an identity | | | | Sing aloud, to the radio, in the bath, whenever you feel |
| while growing up, helping shape what we become. | | | | moved. Start singing/humming/whistling alongside |
| Music is used to escape the stress of daily life, and in | | | | others and they'll often impulsively join in. Learn to play |
| religious worship. | | | | an instrument, whatever you can lay your hands on. |
| Those with a musical or literary talent achieve material | | | | No need for lessons - teach yourself. Don't seek |
| success and popular acclaim far beyond those who | | | | concert standards; just let your inner self express itself |
| save and improve lives. But who can listen to a catchy | | | | outwardly. |
| haunting melody and not find themselves repeating it | | | | Poetry and music are among the greatest tools we |
| inside their mind? We attend musical performances, | | | | possess to lift ourselves momentarily to the higher |
| buy (or otherwise obtain) musical recordings, and sing | | | | realms. Open yourself to their powers and the joy |
| and play ourselves for no other reason that than the | | | | they can bring to your life. |
| pleasure it brings. Dissemination of the written word is | | | | |