I have been so incredibly blessed recently to have been inspired by Gloria Anzaldúa as we read her book, Borderlands La Frontera (recommended by my lovely daughter Nina!) in our Sufi Book Club.
She speaks and writes poetically of her place in the borderlands both physically and metaphorically as a Lesbian, Chicana, with indigenous and Mexican roots. And she defies the dominant culture by writing in both Spanish and English and even some indigenous languages unapologetically and without translating for all of us poor colonialized white folks who only know one language!
And then, after being introduced to her via a Spiritual Directors International conference, I am being deeply impressed and inspired by Pat McCabe (Woman Stands Shining) – a Dine (Navajo) elder and teacher from whom I am taking a class called, “Surrendering to Spirit.” For our homework this week, she asked us to do this practice:
Several times a day recite this prayer, setting it as an intention. The prayer goes like this: “Help me to set aside everything I know about surrender so that I can be open to new possibilities.”
As I sat in my sit spot this afternoon by a beautiful creek praying that prayer, the following poetry arose in my heart. I have put the English translation (as far as I can guess con mi poco espanol) in between verses and I hope that any native Spanish speakers will feel free to correct any mistakes I’ve made.
La Rendición (Surrender)
El arroyo no puede volver
No quiere volver
No necesita volver
The creek can’t go back
Doesn’t want to go back
Doesn’t need to go back
Sólo es
Fluye
Limpia
It only is
It flows
It cleans
Belleza casi dolorosa
Exquisito, profundo
Ahogando todos mis sentidos
Beauty nearly painful
Exquisite, profound
Drowning all my senses
Oh…the call to surrender to surrender….”beauty nearly painful.” I love that you are honoring other languages and pushing language barriers here. Thank you so for sharing Wakil.