Enlightenment
The light,
If you are not conscious,
Does not exist
Even if there are thousands
of stars.
The light in fact
Is consciousness:
Eyes can only see objects
If one is conscious of them.
If the beginning is dark
And the eyes may be many,
There is nothing to see
Except extreme agony!
If the eyes are wide open
But consciousness closed,
All we can accept
Is the disgrace of viewing!
Of course, to be blind is not good,
But nothing is worse than
to be consciousness blind,
Making things adverse altogether.
by: Dr. Mojahid Mirza
Thank you Few Friends from Lahore are Running a Page On *SAWAN* south Asia writers please do Contribute your Poems there, Plus we are Working for the Last 40 Years to Preserve Kalash, in case you Come across material on Kalash Please send it to us,
Excellent poem.
The heading “Quagmire of Being” is fascinatingly complex and intriguing.
Poetic expression – par excellence.
I wish the writer/poet of this poem would have expressed the meaning of ‘consciousness’ either in the poem or as a foot note.
The consciousness is the key word or the central concept in this poem hence its proper and explicit definition would have helped the reader to appreciate the poem at a deeper as well as higher level.
I am not sure the writer is using consciousness in occidental context or in oriental reference.
Occidental context is the higher level of intellect.
(Philosophic, Scientific Literary knowledge).
Oriental reference is spiritual and/or mystical. (Meditative reflections).
Prime examples of oriental consciousness are:
Hindu Sadhus/Yogis, Buddhists’ Monks, Muslim/Jewish Mystics.
Bulleh-e-Shah says:
Parrnah Likhnaa Chhad O Yaar
Ikko Alaf Tainoon darkaar
.
nSalik
You did not leave page account or your email, so how can I contribute Ansari Sahib?
Dr. Mojahid Mirza
“Ikko alaf” is alooh, the God to which every mortal being is unable to concede but knowledge and feelings, that also of humane sort rather than sensual oe sensuos, anyone can gain and learn to polish those fine humane feelings. I meant occidental consciousness of course and to be conscentious too.
TF USA Affiliates!
I would ask you to ask your loved ones who are born, raised and educated in North America and Western Europe to read this poem by Dr. Mojahid Mirza. Firstly it is in English so language is not a problem.
Secondly the poem deals with abstract and important concepts.
Ask your loved ones to write a critical review of this poem.
Ask them to write about occidental and oriental perspectives of looking at complexities of life.
Occidental approach is primarily rational and logical.
Oriental approach is primarily intuitional and meditative.
If you disagree with me then you should say so. So that all of us could learn from you.
I am sure they (your loved ones) will like it to participate in this conversation, dialogue, debate.
nSalik
I am not sure about the quality of the poem as I don’t know the technicalities of constructing a poem. It doesn’t rhyme for me. I am struggling a bit with the message. If conscious is not being simply aware and alert but in the sense of “Zameer” then why ponder over light?? I agree with Noor Sahib’s observation that “conscious” needs to be elaborated in the poem.
A CLARIFICATION:
The poem “Enlightenment” is in blank verse, a modern form of poetry which is not expressed in rhyme. Dr. Mojahid’s book “Quagmire of Being” has been edited by an expert and licensed editor suggested by the publisher of my Rumi book, Professor David Appelbaum, a senior professor of philosophy at the Suny New Paltz. However, editing as well as thought of the poet is never taken as ultimate final. Any mistake in language, meter, or flow of the verse pointed out by the members of Forum may please be forwarded to my attention, as I am in contact with the editor who is also editing my English translation Rumi’s Farsi poems.
Mirza Ashraf
Occidental thinking is more cause-and-effect analytical while eastern is holistic. One is not superior to the other. They just have different orientations for consciousness that is an amalgam of both.
Excellent Mirza Sahib
Excellent