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137th out of 218 books
—
120 voters
The Soul Is Here For Its Own Joy: Sacred Poems from Many Cultures
by
Robert Bly
Robert Bly's new anthology celebrates the timeless role of the divine in literature, expressed by his choice of poetry from a wide range of religious traditions, historical periods, and literary movements. The poems in this collection confirm the enduring beauty and efficacy of the written word in its function as the medium for humanity's eternal debate with and for the sp...more
Paperback, 288 pages
Published
July 9th 1999
by Ecco
(first published December 1st 1995)
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Jun 17, 2009
Stanley
rated it
5 of 5 stars
Recommends it for:
anyone who needs to figure it all out
Recommended to Stanley by:
Coleman Barks, really he did.
This is not a book you can ever say you "Read" as if you actually finished it and then put it on the shelf. This book is a bible, a companion, a map to the soul, to life and all the Universe. You will carry it with you around the house, keep it on your desk, in your bathroom, in your backpack - wherever it is you may need quick access to enlightened poetry and guidance. If you are up, this book will provide confirmation. If you are down, this book will give you answers and reasons to keep search...more
READINGS THAT MIRROR THE SPIRITUAL JOURNE
Beautiful book, arranged like the spiritual journey: At first, you feel the call, have a big experience, make a commitment, then forget it all, do your thing in the world until you get in trouble, then commit to spirit again, forget it, go back to the world, mess up, back to spirit, etc. Until you finally really commit. Takes the reader through poetry demonstrating a deeper and deeper commitment to and knowledge of the sacred. Many traditions. Great intro...more
Beautiful book, arranged like the spiritual journey: At first, you feel the call, have a big experience, make a commitment, then forget it all, do your thing in the world until you get in trouble, then commit to spirit again, forget it, go back to the world, mess up, back to spirit, etc. Until you finally really commit. Takes the reader through poetry demonstrating a deeper and deeper commitment to and knowledge of the sacred. Many traditions. Great intro...more
I liked the organization of the poems into the stages of spiritual journey, beginning with the difficulties of starting the path, going into struggles with greed, including love personal and divine. Also, the large collections of two poets, Rumi and Hafiz, explored the details of a spiritual structure that was altogether not inhibiting but rather inclusive. However, it got a little dry and felt a little safe, but altogether good for a solid, unbiased foundation of spiritual poetry.
Another good, wide-ranging selection of sacred poetry gathered by Robert Bly. From Hafiz to Freidrich Holderlin, Mirabai to Mirza Ghalib, Rumi to Rilke. A very good book to pick up, open to a random page, and then disappear…
I have kept this book of poems near my bed for the last several years. They've helped light my path on some of the darkest days. They're not all "hits" for me, but the majority of them come close.
Bly is perhaps the greatest translator of poetry in our time. He also has an amazing eye. Here he links poets like Emily Dickinson with Rumi and Machado. Spiritual truths connect in the most amazing places.
what a beautful book- found women sufi mystic poets i'd never heard of !
very deep soul drink here...
very deep soul drink here...
A gift from my wife Kendel on our 28th anniversary.
The title alone wins it a good rating.
Apr 21, 2013
Luis Andres
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Robert Bly (born December 23, 1926) is an American poet, author, activist and leader of the Mythopoetic Men's Movement.
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