The Mystical Dance: Mystical Poetry Inspirational Poetry Nature Poetry Spiritual Poetry

By Gordon Burnham

"The Mystical Dance" is a book of one hundred and eight mystical, nature, and spiritual poems inspired by Rumi, Tagore, Paramananda, Hafiz, Thoreau and others. These poems are an interweaving of nature's inspiration and the universal spiritual Truths found in India's Vedanta philosophy. Nature will lift us into the realm of the sublime if we follow her guidance into the present moment.

"Gordon Burnham is a wonderful poet who is long overdue for recognition as a member of that select and rare group of poets which is able to successfully express the mystical beauty of nature in their poetry. I sincerely feel Burnham would not be able to write these moving verses without his strong interest in the mystical path, which he treads. God is found everywhere in nature, and this poet has given us a glimpse of That One." ~ Cliff Johnson, Author of "Inner Peace In a Busy World"

"On this life-journey, reminders and signposts pointing toward joy and wholeness, are like trail markers on a path to a wellspring in the desert. I hope to have fashioned some trail markers from the wealth of Nature’s living artistry, the truth she expresses through the ceaseless outpouring of creation, and the eloquent stillness of the Source. Although words can only point to or remind us of the fullness of these moments, hopefully there are some sign posts and reminders in the pages that follow that will be of value to some of my fellow travelers on the path." ~ Gordon Burnham

• Language: English
• Publisher: Gordon Burnham
• Release date: Nov 30, 2013
• ISBN: 9781310749254

Gordon Burnham

Gordon Burnham is the author of four books—two books of spiritual and nature poetry—"The Mystical Dance" and "Whispers of Light", a book on meditation—"Meditation Tips 'n Techniques" and a book of daily verses and reflections—"Inspirations and Meditations." He is also a singer-songwriter on eight CDs of universal spiritual songs, Sanskrit kirtans and chants, new age instrumentals and acoustic guitar instrumentals. His music and books are available for purchase and can be sampled on Amazon, iTunes and www.gburnham.com.Born in Traverse City, Michigan, Gordon later moved with his family to Grand Rapids where he grew up in a rural setting of rivers, lakes, hills and woods. His natural love of nature, art and music was infused with a sense of the spiritual and was to be his guide through the years to come.He attended Western Michigan University, majoring in psychology and minoring in music, and after college moved to Boston to pursue a career in music and continue his spiritual exploration.Gordon taught Music Therapy at Northeastern University, Boston, and developed a course on "Healing and Spiritual Awakening Through Music". The study of yoga, meditation and the pursuit of his spiritual path were woven into the fabric of his life and guided its direction.Gordon' has been a student of meditation and Vedanta philosophy since meeting his teacher and guru, Srimata Gayatri Devi in 1974. He plays a central role in weekly music performances and is the director of major musical events at Ananda Ashrama, La Crescenta, CA. and Vedanta Centre, Cohasset, MA. He is also a regular speaker at Ananda Ashrama.Gordon Burnham is a fellow-traveler on this path of life which has lead him to his current home with his wife Rita in the foothills of the San Gabriel Mountains. In an atmosphere surrounded by nature, on the edge of the wilderness, his life is focused on the spiritual quest—and enjoying the journey!

Book preview

The 108 poems in this book have been inspired by the beauty, the power and the lessons of Nature, and also by the mystical and spiritual teachings of India's Vedanta philosophy, which supports the validity and underlying harmony of all major religions and spiritual paths. They have also drawn inspiration from many of the world's great poets, Rumi, Tagore, Hafiz, Thoreau, Paramananda and Emerson among them.

Many people have experiences in nature, or within themselves, which are beyond what language seems adequate to express; experiences of peace, reverence, awe, bliss, a sense of the presence of something larger than ourselves and all of humankind. Experiences like these, that bring us in touch with the deeper, larger Being within, make the oneness of our existence felt, if only for a moment.

It is these experiences, which we might say are of a mystical nature, that have found some expression in the poems in this book.

We all have these moments of clarity or connection to something deeply inspiring, but the fragrance of these moments seems to evaporate quickly from the landscape of our thoughts.

On this life-journey, reminders and signposts pointing toward joy and wholeness, are like trail markers on a path to a wellspring in the desert. Perhaps there are some trail markers here, some reflection of the truth that nature expresses through the ceaseless outpouring of creation, and the eloquent stillness of the Source. Although words can only point to or remind us of the fullness of these moments, hopefully there are some pointers and reminders in the pages that follow.

We are, all of us on this planet and in this universe, sisters and brothers moving toward our highest and common destiny. These poems are glimpses from the path that leads to that realization.

The Sunlight Whispers

The flood of beauty that greeted me at dawn

drowned my thoughts and swept away my mind

Until nothing was left but a breathless heart

gazing through the eyes of wonder

Whose masterpiece is this

impossibly exquisite symphony of color and light?

My senses are stunned and intertwined

Melodies are cascading from the trees

Sunlight whispers its golden secrets

I taste the delicate flavor of the morning mountain breeze

And I smell the green hues of life

shimmering on a canvas of sky blue

Here is the work of a Master

I will sit at the feet of and drink the Truth

Tiny Miracle

A smile that brightened the face of my heart

came with the visit of a cheerful friend

A tiny song sparrow landed a few feet away

on the swaying frond of a date palm

This impossibly small feathered being

bursting with life and puffing up his downy coat

Sang a song that delighted the morning sky

and sent a ripple of joy through my soul

Such miracles are not rare

They are so common we fail to notice them

Crystalline Morn

Silvery white

glistening like satin

A snowy blanket covers the world around me

with a fluffy layer of crystal-lace snowflakes

A hush of peace fills all space

The only sounds