Many who visit my blog enjoy reading poetry by Japanese poet Basho. Here is some information about him from Wikipedia.
Matsuo Basho (松尾 芭蕉, 1644–1694), born 松尾 金作, then Matsuo Chūemon Munefusa (松尾 忠右衛門 宗房),[2][3] was the most famous poet of the Edo period in Japan.
During his lifetime, Bashō was recognized for his works in the collaborative haikai no rengaform; today, after centuries of commentary, he is recognized as the greatest master of haiku (then called hokku). Matsuo Bashō’s poetry is internationally renowned; and, in Japan, many of his poems are reproduced on monuments and traditional sites.
Although Bashō is justifiably famous in the West for his hokku, he himself believed his best work lay in leading and participating in renku. He is quoted as saying, “Many of my followers can write hokku as well as I can. Where I show who I really am is in linking haikai verses.”[4]
Bashō was introduced to poetry at a young age, and after integrating himself into the intellectual scene of Edo (modern Tokyo) he quickly became well known throughout Japan. He made a living as a teacher; but then renounced the social, urban life of the literary circles and was inclined to wander throughout the country, heading west, east, and far into the northern wilderness to gain inspiration for his writing.
A statute of Basho
His poems were influenced by his firsthand experience of the world around him, often encapsulating the feeling of a scene in a few simple elements.
even a horse
arrests my eyes—on this
snowy morrow [1684]
another year is gone
a traveler’s shade on my head,
straw sandals at my feet [1685]
an ancient pond
a frog jumps in
the splash of water [1686]
now then, let’s go out
to enjoy the snow … until
I slip and fall! [1688]
Jane’s Haiku
Here is a Haiku that the above haiku by Basho inspired after my morning walk in the snow!
Inner child’s call
Joy of heart’s true passion
Playing in the snow
Feb. 12, 2018
Jane Rosalea Brown
Have fun and try writing some Haiku. Quiet your mind like you do when you meditate. Listen within and let the words flow. Most Haiku in modern day.. 5 syllables…7 syllables..5 syllables (3 lines) I loved to read them,
Peacefully, Jane
Jane Rosalea Brown, BA, CSW
USUI Reiki Master
Author In Silence, Discovering Self through Meditation
Author name: Jane Rosalea Booth
Hi Jane!
I love reading anything and everything you write. Once in a while, over the years, I would tell myself that I would learn more about Haiku and try to compose some. We have a tiny book of Haiku in our library. Eons ago, Alan referred to it when teaching grades 7 and 8. I had given him the tiny Haiku book when I worked for Hallmark, at my first job. You’re making me reminisce big time!
These past 3 1/2 months, I’ve been struggling with severe pain in my right leg. To the point that it’s been debilating. Getting acupuncture from a chiro. Getting deep tissue massages, doing stretching exercises. Missing most social functions. Just starting to walk outside with Alan. Around the block with Nordic poles. I might go for more Reiki, but with a different practitioner as Karen is travelling in India for two months. She is presently at an ashram. She’ll have lots to share when she comes back.
Had x-rays. My spine doesn’t look all that bad. Now waiting for my MRI results.
Back to Haiku! I’m going to start composing some verses as I have lots of time on my hands now. It will be relaxing. As you say, like meditating.
I journal a lot and often pick one of soul cards. I let Spirit talk to me and write whatever Spirit says. There’s healing on the horizon…
Alan is extremely patient, loving and caring. I already knew that he’s a good man, but I still get pleasant surprises. We were close, but are even more so now. I’m usually the one in control. I’m learning to let go. This has also been a time that permitted me to look more closely at our finances and to plan for our future. I sort of gave Alan a scare when I started doing calculations to see how much it would cost to live in a retirement home! We found someone to clean the house. Some things we take for granted… like taking a shower! Or washing one’s hair.
We’ll, my dear Jane, I’m going on and on! How are you and Ian doing? Do you get to see your grandson from time to time? There must be a reason we call them “grand”. As in magnificent and AWEsome. Has Ian completely recovered?
Must go do some Haiku.
A personal request: Could you send healing energy my way?
Love
Michelle
Dear Michelle, Thank you for your kind words. I am sorry to hear about your right leg and I will send you long distance Reiki to relax you. I would suggest you not worry about anything right now. I know as we age our financial concerns can worry us but stay in the present moment. In the present moment you and Allan are fine in your home. See it as a sacred protective space full of the love of your beautiful family and Allan’s support and love. You like to have everything in control and organized but right now, I feel, to heal your body…with all its trillion of cells. If you talk to your cells each day about how much you love them, they will respond. I still do this every morning!!
Remember how you held the light for me when I had breast cancer. You and the others in our group saw me as being well and I recovered very quickly as something within told me I was well. That was 11 years ago in March.
Meditate, journal and be open and flowing…like the river. Look at our ‘Sisters’ page..there is an Snowy owl video where the owl is floating up and down…up and down on the ice flows and not worrying but at the same time it is aware and alert.
You also know I have used my own chants for sound healing and many other sources for the power of our voice is so healing. I still love this one…here are some notes..I posted on another blog…Deepak Chopra shared.. You are familiar with it and it is great for unlocking blocks.
Om Gam Ganapataye Namaha
This mantra summons the Hindu Deity Ganesha, the beloved elephant-headed trickster known as the remover of obstacles and master of knowledge. This mantra translates to “Salutations to Ganesha, the remover/breaker of obstacles, we call your name!” Call on Ganesha to clear your path when you feel stuck or creatively blocked, when you need a change of perspective, or when life feels especially challenging and you’re not sure why.
Practice suggestion:
• Say before embarking on a journey
• Say when you feel afraid
• Say silently during a difficult work meeting
• Say during a tense period in a close relationship
If you’d like, set up a dedicated time of day to practice mantra with an altar. Place items on your altar associated with the life you desire. Consider areas of change and areas that are already working. Move your fingers across a mala necklace or use your fingers to track the number of times you chant your chosen mantra.
These powerful sounds can be practiced just about anywhere. How about on a walk or a bike ride? What about in the shower or in the car? Or chant while you move through asana. It truly does not matter where or when you practice mantra, the question to ask is: What is the intention behind the chant? The act of repetition is meditative in itself. And if none of these are doing the trick, make up your own mantra to create the life you desire! By Lena Schmidt – The Chopra Centre Newsletter July 2017
Remember we started this chant and kept it going day after day…then it kind of takes over and you will actually hear it throughout the day and you can keep chanting whenever you want.
Also practice self Reiki each morning and see yourself as being well. Visualize yourself healed and walking in your quiet times. I will continue to send Reiki to you.
I am also practicing some toning exercises so I will send them later on in an e-mail to you.
Yes…it is grand to be a grandmother. The weather holds us at home these days but will see our grandson very soon. He talks on the phone to me…just so special.
You are such a beautiful artist and dear friend. Let me know how you are doing.
In love and radiant light, Jane
Dear dear Jane,
How lucky I am to have you as my friend. I just finished writing down your entire message in a new and small journal that Eric and Ashley gave me for Christmas. What a meaty message. Lots of much needed reminders. I don’t have an altar in this house, but there’s a perfect spot for it! I’ll use the downstairs guest room where there’s a dresser I will use as an altar. There’s even a comfy sofa in there. And enough space for a yoga mat. And two single beds. I can easily lie down on one of them if need be.
Looking forward to the toning exercises.
I can’t thank you enough for lovingly giving me a boost.
I AM WELL.
Hugs and love
Michelle