leave everything you know behind

January 16, 2008 · by Christine

No Abbey Bookshelf today, too much work these last few days to think about reading!  So instead, here are some beautiful words from David Whyte:

Tilokal Lake
(”The Frozen Lake”)

In this high place
it is as simple as this,
leave everything you know behind.

Step toward the cold surface,
say the old prayer of rough love
and open both arms.

Those who come with empty hands
will stare into the lake astonished
there in the cold light
reflecting cold snow

the true shape of your own face

-David Whyte, from Where Many Rivers Meet

In the Christian tradition the season of Lent begins in just 3 weeks — I’d love it if you left names of books or other resources you’ve enjoyed in the past in the comments below and they’ll go into a Lenten edition of the bookshelf next week.

Return tomorrow for our next Sacred Artist Interview!

-Christine Valters Paintner @ Abbey of the Arts

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Posted in Poetry |