Pain, Joy and Sorrow

(Written August 26, 2009)


As some of you might know, my mom was diagnosed with brain cancer last month. I wrote a post about it at the time that you can read here. Well I recently returned home early from a cottage getaway after finding out that mom was in the hospital, where she remains right now. Prognosis is not good. I was an emotional wreck yesterday and I felt like crawling into a hole. My phone was dead for much of the day so I couldn't call the friends I needed, but received immense love and support through my friends on Facebook. God I love FB when I don't hate it;) My inbox was filled with stories and support from those who have gone through this experience before, sharing their wisdom and strength with me so that I could get through the day and not feel so alone. It truly helped me in my time of need and I genuinely felt like the most loved human on the planet.

The universe is spoiling me with love right now.

So, for those of you who may be in a similar situation, facing the inevitable loss of someone you love, here is a passage from Kahlil Gibran's The Prophet, sent to me by a beautiful spirit who has recently entered my life to bring me healing through Reiki. Thanks for sending this my way Danielle.

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From The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran


(Pain)


And a woman spoke, saying, "Tell us of Pain."

And he said:

Your pain is the breaking of the shell that encloses your understanding.

Even as the stone of the fruit must break, that its heart may stand in the sun, so must you know pain.

And could you keep your heart in wonder at the daily miracles of your life, your pain would not seem less wondrous than your joy;

And you would accept the seasons of your heart, even as you have always accepted the seasons that pass over your fields.

And you would watch with serenity through the winters of your grief.

Much of your pain is self-chosen.

It is the bitter potion by which the physician within you heals your sick self.

Therefore trust the physician, and drink his remedy in silence and tranquillity:

For his hand, though heavy and hard, is guided by the tender hand of the Unseen,

And the cup he brings, though it burn your lips, has been fashioned of the clay which the Potter has moistened with His own sacred tears.


(Joy and Sorrow)


Then a woman said, "Speak to us of Joy and Sorrow."

And he answered:

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.

And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.

And how else can it be?

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

Is not the cup that hold your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter's oven?

And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, "Joy is greater than sorrow," and others say, "Nay, sorrow is the greater."

But I say unto you, they are inseparable.

Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.

Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.

When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall.

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"The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain."

Absolutely beautiful.