Rainer Maria Rilke (1875-1926) was an Australian poet and novelist…one of my all time favorites.I have personally experienced wild and wonderful synchronicities with his writings.
Recently, a beloved private personal development client of mine called his poem Go to the Limits of Your Longing to my attention…calling her to step out of the familiar – into her fantasy of something anew.
During these unprecedented times, when things are divisive, uncertain and ever changing … I hear a lot of anxiety ridden fear and angst.
Such a time is this for focused self-care, and deeper reflection.
What may feel like a lonely, and scary void can morph into a space carrying the potential for discovery…for new parts of yourself, new places to live, to career paths, new relationships and new beginnings.
This poem acknowledges the duality between suffering and beauty…delves into the dependability of a higher guiding presence…the importance of learning how to surrender to what is…and having faith that nothing stays the same.
I hope you too will let it land softly in your heart and consciousness … allowing it help you breath, explore, and trust.
God speaks to each of us as he makes us,
then walks with us silently out of the night.
These are the words we dimly hear:
You, sent out beyond your recall,
go to the limits of your longing.
Embody me.
Flare up like a flame
and make big shadows I can move in.
Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.
Just keep going. No feeling is final.
Don’t let yourself lose me.
Nearby is the country they call life.
You will know it by its seriousness.
Give me your hand.
“Go to the Limits of Your Longing” by Rainer Maria Rilke, Book of Hours, I 59.
CLICK HERE to hear a beautiful lyrical rendition of this poem from The Swimming Diaries film soundtrack album by Donna McKevitt
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