Spiritual Poetry and Yoga | SHL

Poems about spirituality play an essential role in Kriya Yoga. They are ways to inspire the mind and connect with the divine, and many teachers like Paramahansa Yogananda were also great poets.

Spiritual poems are more than a type of poetry that focuses on religious or spiritual subjects. The practice comes with many different traditions, but its aim is to acquire a spiritual meaning that goes well beyond words written on a piece of paper.

The role of spiritual poetry

Spiritual poetry is not just writing about spiritual subjects. It can be used as a gateway for the reader or listener to literally connect with their spiritual side.

To a non-spiritual reader, spiritual poetry may not offer an experience as different from normal poetry. You may appreciate the subjects of the poem, the concept used, and even the images it tries to depict, but seeing spiritual poetry in this way only uses part of the true potential of these writings.

Spiritual poems are in themselves a spiritual experience, even outside of yoga practice. They offer the reader and writer the opportunity to reflect on the divine world, to be inspired by it and to find the motivation to offer this inspiration in the form of a spiritual poem.

The role of spiritual poetry in yoga

Spiritual poetry in Kriya Yoga is viewed as an expression of the divine and the reality that creates the divine. These scriptures often contain the core truths of the world in ways that are easier to understand and express to ensure that the teachings of the practice can reach individuals.

Spiritual poetry, therefore, has an incredibly difficult task to perform, and poets who write these truths are usually teachers who come with a deeper understanding of the practice.

Spiritual poets often need to approach divine reality in order to write the poems. If one can write poetry about spirituality, true spiritual poetry is much harder to achieve, but that doesn't mean the practice itself is only for enlightened ones.

The Benefits of Writing Spiritual Poetry

All human beings are a reflection of the divine and are born with the ability to connect with the divine world. This allows anyone to be inspired by religious poetry, but also to try to convey spiritual messages through writing.

Spiritual poetry in yoga is not just for consumption. The process of creating it can also be very useful even if the writer doesn't consider himself talented or enlightened enough to write words about the divine.

Writing about the divine is a way of bringing the person closer to the divine world. It involves centering yourself and thinking about that part of yourself, which in conjunction with other spiritual practices can help the person have a better, more fulfilling experience in increasing their spirituality.

When writing spiritual poetry, the author goes beyond the words themselves. They convey a deeper message and meaning that comes straight from the divine.

These poems can be used as guidance and support by the author himself as they help the practitioner understand how his spiritual side unfolds.

Finding the Right Words for Spiritual Poetry

A spiritual poem, by definition, is an honest text that cares less about the rules of poetry and is more focused on faithfully portraying the divine word through the words.

In a sense, there is no "right" or "wrong" way to write spiritual poetry as long as the author channels his spiritual side and writes from the heart.

Even the classic "writer's block" can be very instructive during this experience.

Why does the author stumble at some point during the process to inform the images of the divine?

Is there a void in their personal connection with the divine that does not yet allow them to form the phrases of the poem?

This can bring the writer closer to his true self and even his beliefs, as it may even be the first time that he is pondered on these subjects.

Spiritual poetry in yoga has an amazing meaning, and one could argue that many yoga practices can lose a piece of the divine world without such poems.

These poems are intended to inspire and stimulate the reader and author to reflect on their true selves, their relationship with the divine and their spirituality.

It is a practice that makes the entire learning journey much more meaningful and can advance the reader or writer on their path to abundance, growth, and even enlightenment.

About the author:

Jane Gilman-Stewart is a freelance writer specializing in health and wellness. She has been practicing Kriya Yoga for almost a decade and aims to promote mindfulness and a spiritually conscious life through writing. For more information on Kriya Yoga, please visit www.ellengraceobrian.com.