Moon Haiku photograph by Michael Wood.

Yesterday I had several experiences of grace. Maybe I used up my quota for the week? No! Of course not. But I do want to mention the book I have started to read called Writing and Enjoying Haiku by Jane Reichhold. Of course, haiku as a form is not new to me or anyone probably, but I became excited about exploring it as a writing/meditation form at the Poetry Therapy Intensive in early August.

Sometimes I can write in my journal; but I don't get much enjoyment out of it. And I am dismal at writing poetry. But haiku!

Haiku act as doors to our past. Years after you have written a haiku, you can read it and mentally return to that one spot in the meadow where you saw the purple thistle glistening with dew, or heard the long curling cry of a bird on a summer morning.

My dear friend Alkelda the Gleeful suggested that I think through the focus of this blog. It should not be just a place randomly to try out blogging, but it should be useful, at least to myself.

Early this morning I was reading a passage in the book The Esoteric Background of Waldorf Education by Rene M. Querido. I shall quote some of what he wrote that struck me so forcefully.

Since the fearful two world wars that shook the globe, dozens of conflicts in different parts of the world have erupted, bringing suffering and tragedy to millions.These have been brought about by a withdrawal of the benevolent guiding powers and an increased activity of the Ahrimanic forces that seek to enslave humanity.[Sounds like Mordor to me!] These conflicts show clearly that we have to overcome our racial, national, ethnic prejudices in order to find out what is truly human in each one of us.

But also the individual soul finds an ever greater tension arising in his own being. Many people at an early age become aware that two souls live within each one of us; one that aspires to the lofitiest heights of humanity, while the other seeks to fetter us ever more strongly to material existence. This crossing of the threshold is experienced to begin with as a split in our normal consciousness. We need to learn not only to face the evil in others but also in ourselves. This struggle needs to be taken up with courage and determination. To imagine that it can be circumvented or over looked is simply an illusion.

This places the task of the Waldorf teacher in a new light. Each one of us is centrally involved in the Michaelic battle against the forces of darkness for the sake of the children and youngsters in our care.

As someone who tends to melancholia, I found this passage to be an important exhortation to keep the faith, to fight against despair, to nourish courage. And I have now decided that I will use this blog not to cry out in anguish at the ills of this world but rather to recognize and celebrate those flashes of grace that I encounter each day. But of course - Pipers at the Gates of Dawn!