For today's found poetry, I'm heading into a workbook journal I started in 2002. It's a past life journal, following the exercises in You Can Remember Your Past Lives, a used paperback I picked up when I was out with my husband. We were on our way to see Black Hawk Down, which is something I noted in the journal. Coincidences should always be noted when you're dealing with past life stuff.
I've always believed in reincarnation, even when I was young and hadn't really been exposed to the concept of it. Likely because I've personally had break-through memories come up for which I had no explanation as a child. My recovery of past life info has been a constant thread in my life. I saw a past life therapist while I lived in Toronto and had five sessions with her.
Once I moved back to Nova Scotia, I did personal meditation work and mindful observation of things in my life. When I found this book, it really helped me pull my personal work together into something I could look at and learn from.
My poem today is taken from the results of a rating-system quiz called Reactions to Stimuli. Ratings from 5 to 1 were given to various cultures, people, animals, weather and environments to take stock of my natural attractions and repulsions. This is a beginning marker to see where I have past life issues and strengths. 5 represents greatly enjoy, totally comfortable. 1 represents great fear, distaste, discomfort.
Greatly Enjoy / Great Fear
Greatly enjoy
Totally comfortable
British gentry accents
Scottish accents
Swedish accents
Russian accents
Enjoy kings or queens
Enjoy Catholics
Enjoy liberals
Enjoy teachers
Dancers, musicians greatly enjoy
Writers, directors enjoy greatly
Brunettes, totally comfortable
Blue eyes greatly enjoy
Grey eyes
Toned muscles
Correct body weight
Tall - enjoy greatly
Long hair, comfortable
Babies to 3 years
Enjoy, enjoy
Little girls and little boys
Adults aged 20-40
Total comfort
Dogs
Enjoy, comfort
Panthers
Totally great
Wolves
Enjoy. Great
Horses
Comfort - total
Being in water
Being alone outdoors
Being
Total comfort
Crowds, part of the masses
Books and reading
Enjoy greatly
Great fear
Distaste
Discomfort
Evangelical faiths
Fringe groups
Fear conservatives
Fear fringe political parties
Fear fundamentalists
Bureaucrats - distaste
Corporate executives - distaste
Salesmen - distaste
Thin body types
Hunger
Discomfort
Bulky muscles
Cold
Discomfort
Mice as pests
Distaste
Arid climates
Distaste
Loud noises
Discomfort
Great fear - tornado
Great fear - lightening
Great fear - sensation of falling
Great fear - crowds as mobs
- Julia Smith, 2009 / original text written 2002
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Michelle Johnson says Your poem was great. You drew off your earlier observations and found a certain kind of peace.
Anthony North says The therapeutic value of reincarnation is beyond doubt.
Andy Sewina says Phew, fascinating stuff Julia.
What an interesting post, Julia. And, a strong look into your personal life- joys and distastes. I don't know how I feel about reincarnation on a personal level but, I think it can happen and I certainly feel everything happens for a reason. Your poem was great. You drew off your earlier observations and found a certain kind of peace. Have a nice day.
ReplyDeleteI've researched reincarnation deeply. I don't accept the idea of real past lives as such, but the therapeutic value of it is beyond doubt.
ReplyDeleteIt's an intriguing subject.
Phew, fascinating stuff Julia, I need to come back and clink~your~links later.
ReplyDeleteMichelle - I've recently felt an inner shift that made it seem not-so-scary to mention my spiritual beliefs.
ReplyDeleteAnthony - I know what you mean. Whatever the truth is, my sessions and personal work do make me feel better.
Andy - It's freaky over here!
Hindu mythology is filled with reincarnations. I do believe in it.
ReplyDeleteYour poem is very good. It has song like quality.
two hearts
I really want to do that.
ReplyDeleteWe have similar fears. I totally believe in reincarnation because you meet people you instinctively know and care about when you first lay eyes on one another, and it feels like you've known them forever.
Like when I met you. LOL!
Interesting post Julia. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a great believer in reincarnation too. :)
Gautami - I thought you might look at life the same way as me. Poetry and all that!
ReplyDeleteAmy - We're not secret twins for nothing!
Akelamalu - I thought you might be!
I'd love to go to a past life therapist. Would love to discuss this more with you.
ReplyDeleteAnd I believe in reincarnation for the same reason Amy does. It's the only way I can explain why I've shared an instant connection with some people from the first time we met.
Multiple lives fits in with my particular spiritual view. I think our energy recycles.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat way to do this poem. I love its structure.
ReplyDeleteAs for past lives... I was talking to the kids about the concept yesterday. What odd timing... or not.