Tripping Over Joy
What is the difference
Between your experience of Existence
And that of a Saint?
The saint knows
that the spiritual path
Is a sublime chess game with God
And that the Beloved
Has just made such a Fantastic Move
That the saint is now continually
Tripping over Joy
And bursting out in Laughter
And saying, “I Surrender!”
Whereas, my dear,
I am afraid you still think
You have a thousand serious moves.
(Poem by Daniel Ladinsky, from his book I heard God Laughing: Poems of Hope and Joy, Penguin Books, 2006, used with permission of the author)
Anonymous
4
This is a fine poem and a great reflection on holiness. I am teaching a course on “models of holiness” this summer and am happy to have the reference.
I run across your blog from time to time. Always thoughtful. I think we have a real world connection. I’m a friend of Fr John Wehling, who I think you know.
Fr John (Bostwick)
Jenny
4
Greetings Fr. John!
Thank you for your post. It’s nice to meet you and to discover that we have a real world connection.
How did you find your way to my blog?
Jenny
Ser
4
I love spiritual advice that urges us to take ourselves less seriously. I think we would all be happier if we could just laugh at ourselves a little bit more. And you, Jenny, are a friend that has helped me to do just that.
Love,
Ser
Lucy
4
oh, my. I think that poem was written for me!