The Flow
By David Battle
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A few years ago while participating in the School for the Second Half of Life, I began to write poetry about how that stage of life is a distinct developmental stage that calls to one’s creativity, and can lead to a greater sense of wholeness, freedom and meaning. Here is one of my poems.
My life is a
story in
two
chapters.
The first?
It’s the story of my
introductory journey,
my initial awareness,
in search of
identity,
to play
a particular part,
living
in
the world.
(Equally, it’s the
story of coping
with the spoiler effects of
human deficits,
dilemmas
and disappointments —
all of which
distract from
recognizing
and celebrating
the Blessing of God.)
The second chapter
of my life’s story
is the further journey.
It is a journey
of awakening
to Wholeness of Being,
(that is God’s Blessing
and true identity)
and living
with
the world.
This further journey
into Wholeness
calls for the vision of a
Higher Consciousness
that comprehends
Reality
and isn’t blind to the
sacred wisdom of its
paradoxical Truths
hidden so deeply
since the foundation
of the world.
For Reality
to be True
anywhere,
it must also be
True
everywhere.
Quite literally,
there is No Thing
in existence.
Only, there is Being.
Without exception,
each and all Being,
even a pebble’s chip,
possesses an essential
Thisness
that is wholly animated
with its own Aliveness.
And so,
Wholeness of Being
is also
the identity
of the cosmos.
Every one of
every Being,
is of the cosmos
which is in every one:
eternally mortal, and
joined, in sacred union,
at any distance
together in the Divine.
Place your mind
in your heart
and surely
you will see that
our further journey
into life’s second half
Really is
a new beginning
without an end.
Inwardly and outwardly facing,
co-evolving and co-creating,
we are nourished
and sustained
by Grace,
God’s harmonic
life-force of love.
Wholeness of Being
Reality and Truth
Higher Consciousness
Thisness and Aliveness
Alpha and Omega
Wonder and Mystery
sweeping us
mercifully along
across space and time
partaking in Life
together as One
in the
insuppressible
Flow!
David Battle is a 2017 graduate of the School for the Second Half of Life at Mercy by the Sea. In retrospect, David believes he began (unconsciously) searching for life’s second half in 2010 – the year he set aside his professional career. He confesses that it took many years thereafter to become aware of the second half of life and to awaken into it.
David credits the Mercy school with helping him “get serious about transformation” and with equipping him skillfully for the further journey.
Currently he is an active member of Second Baptist Church in Suffield, Connecticut. David sings in the choir, participates in mission and justice ministries, and contributes his aliveness to Life.