BT Song 1281
I have read about ecumenism and have even witnessed some “ECUMENISM.” They gather in meetings and have fellowship, except in worship. Their particular form of worship won’t align with others who are worshipping the SAME LORD in different ways. So, while remaining members of the SAME BODY, they prefer different kinds of FELLOWSHIP in worship. The rest of the time, they are happy to have fellowship in other areas.
This shows their poor understanding of the meaning and purpose of FELLOWSHIP as members of the BODY OF THE LORD. This is what Christopher J.H. Wright calls “watery togetherness.” Refusing to participate in worship together, while clinging to their doctrinal and other forms of worship, shows their immaturity in their bhakti/faith. I have never had such a problem in my life. I don’t mind participating in any form of worship of the Lord, keeping my personal relationship private. Though I feel sorry for those kinds of zealots, I still consider them members of the same body of the Lord. As the Lord accepts their limitations by accepting their form of bhakti, in the end, we are worshipping the SAME LORD. I hope these zealots might understand this, even if they do not recognize it. On this earth, they can worship separately, but in the New Heaven and New Earth, they will have to mingle with all kinds of bhaktas. I wonder how they are going to adjust there if they do not practice here now.
BT Song 1281 We Become One
Simple English Version
1
I live for you,
And I am living in you.
You gave me this special blessing.
Living for you,
Worshiping you,
I will enjoy this in everyday life.
2
Though you remain the God for all,
I have a special relationship with you.
When I come seeking that,
You will be there before me.
3
Without this relationship,
And not having this personal fellowship,
However I try to have fellowship with others,
It will remain like a church.
This will remain alone,
Like oil that doesn’t mix with water.
4
There are many churches like this in the world.
There is no use in finding fault in them.
So what is the use of those churches,
Unless you join us in your Body?
5
However, as the need of many is fulfilled by them,
I have no right to complain about it.
Let them go in their own way.
But let my path remain special with you.
6
As you know the need of each one of us,
You become that kind of relationship which we seek.
Understanding that, finally, we all become one in you.
We will celebrate and worship you.
Mathigiri, 8-8-2021, 2.50 p.m.
BT Song 1281 We Become One
Classical English Version
1
For you I live, within you dwell,
A blessing rare you gave to me.
To live for you and worship well,
In daily life, my joy shall be.
2
Though God to all, you are the same,
With you, a bond unique I share.
When seeking this, to you I came,
And found you always waiting there.
3
Without this bond, without this grace,
No other fellowship can last.
Like oil on water’s surface placed,
Alone it stays, the die is cast.
4
In many congregations found,
The world holds such in great supply.
But faulting them has no true ground,
If you, our Lord, do not comply.
5
For many needs, they serve their part,
Thus, I have no right to protest.
In their own ways, they may depart,
While I with you, in you, find rest.
6
You know the needs each soul must face,
And in that form, to them you turn.
In unity, your love embrace,
And in your praise, our hearts shall burn.
Mathigiri, 8-8-2021, 2.50 p.m.
BT Song 1282
When I sat quietly with my cup of tea in the veranda in the cool morning, I began to meditate on the Lord. Then the first line of this song came to mind. Yes, I find solace and rest when I sit quietly—irrespective of the place and circumstance, I find peace that goes beyond my atman. As a digression, I would like to say that living in solitude, especially surrounded by nature, is a blessing that adds more bliss to our meditation, but it is not required for a bhakta to communicate with the Lord.
After tea, when I went to my room to do my morning exercises, my mind didn’t allow me to proceed as inspiration began to flow and compelled me to sit and write the entire song. Once I began to write, as the words continued to flow, I quickly completed this song.
Though I try to understand mysticism, it remains elusive to me. One reason could be that I don’t find an equivalent word for it in Tamil. I am not sure whether there is a proper word for it in Hindi or Sanskrit either. However, as I often say, the moment we experience silence, we break it; similarly, the moment we try to communicate mysticism, it ceases to be mysticism. Though several mystics have communicated it through their songs and writings, for me, as it goes beyond all kinds of human comprehension, it is better not to try to communicate it. However, as I was writing my views in stanzas 3 and 4 and trying to close this song with them, I thought, why do I write my bhakti theology songs? Though I gave some excuse to express my bhakti theology, it is the Lord who compels me to write my thoughts through poems. I have already shared in BT Song 1250 what Nammalvar shares about this when he wrote:
What can I say? Now becoming one with me, sweet life,
he makes me sing sweet songs with my own words.
With his own words, the lord of illusion praises himself,
the one who sings before me, the first of the three forms.
—Clooney, Francis X. S.J., and Archana Venkatesan (trans.), Tiruvaymoli, Penguin Classics. Forthcoming. (p. 136)
…He speaks these words, but, equally, they are spoken to him. He stands embodied to listen—we are back where we started—and then, trickster that he is, embodies himself within the devotee to speak to him.
—Nammalvar: A Hundred Measures of Time. Tiruviruttam. Translated from the Tamil by Archana Venkatesan, Penguin Books India, 2014, pp. 136-37 (emphasis original)
BT Song 1282 This is Your Work
Simple English Version
1
Each day I see
Some kind of peace in this.
Sitting closely with you,
I communicate with you.
Without separation even for a second,
You mingled with me.
You always think
Only of my welfare.
2
This is a kind of relationship
Which even my mind cannot realize.
However I try to communicate,
The world cannot understand this.
Even my heart won’t know this.
However I try,
There is no language
To communicate this.
3
I cannot say that
This is mysticism.
Even the Scriptures
Never talk about this.
No philosophy can
Debate about it.
This is a kind of bliss
Which no one can understand.
4
There is no need
For us to do this.
We don’t have even
Time for this.
Once you give and I receive,
This won’t end
Only with this world.
5
Still, I am
Writing about this.
This one remains
Very strange to me.
You alone know
The reason for this.
But I should know
The reason for this.
6
Even you alone are
Asking me to write this.
You give proper words
To put it down in writing.
You sit next to me
And edit it properly.
You ask me to find
Peace in your work.
Mathigiri, 10-08-2021, 6.15 a.m.
BT Song 1282 This is Your Work
Classical English Version
1
Each day I find within this peace,
A tranquil calm, profound and deep.
With you I sit, our thoughts released,
In silent talk, no secrets keep.
No moment’s parting do we know,
So closely have you intertwined.
Your thoughts for my welfare do show,
In you, my peace and joy combined.
2
This bond we share, the mind can’t grasp,
Though in its depths, it tries to seek.
No worldly words can meet the task,
This secret language none can speak.
My heart itself can’t comprehend,
This silent bond we hold so dear.
No spoken words can it amend,
This silent love none else can hear.
3
No mystic veil can cloak this tie,
Nor sacred texts its truth convey.
Philosophers cannot apply,
Their reasoned thoughts to chart its way.
This bliss we share, a hidden light,
Beyond the reach of mortal ken.
A mystery, though pure and bright,
Eludes the thoughts and minds of men.
4
No need have we to search for this,
Nor time within our lives to find.
This gift you give, a sacred bliss,
Eternal, pure, in heart and mind.
Though world and time may come to close,
This bond endures beyond their sway.
A timeless love that ever grows,
Unending, bright as dawn of day.
5
Yet still I write of this strange theme,
A wonder to my seeking mind.
The reason, though, is clear, it seems,
To you alone, its source I find.
And though the cause eludes my sight,
To you I turn, my heart’s true guide.
In you, the mystery shines bright,
In you, the answers all reside.
6
You ask of me to pen these lines,
The words you give, I write them true.
Beside me, you the work refine,
In peace, I see my task through.
With you beside, my heart finds rest,
Your presence near, my work is blessed.
In this, your will, my soul finds peace,
In this, your work, my joy’s increase.
Mathigiri, 10-08-2021, 6.15 a.m.
BT Song 1283
Most of the time, I never hesitate to say no to many things in life. But I never hesitate to say ‘NO’ to God regarding several of His demands and commands. Though He repeatedly proves that my ways are not His ways, I still insist on walking my own path, even though I know I am destined to fail. However, the one advantage I have is that in my rebellion or failures, I never give up my relationship with Him. This is enough for Him to restore me and lead me, or even to carry me on His shoulders, guiding me along the path He has already planned for my life. As the current situation has proven this once again, I wrote this song while contemplating it.
BT Song 1283 No Other Means
Simple English Version
1
Whether I come willingly,
Or keep away from you,
There is no means to live
Without your help.
2
I stand alone,
I become frustrated.
Unless you show the direction,
I get lost.
3
Giving me a path,
You asked me to walk on it.
But unwilling to walk on it,
I stand hesitating.
4
Still, you came
Close to me with much compassion,
And took my hand with love,
And led me properly.
5
Smashing all the hurdles
That come on the way,
You helped me reach the shore
Without further damage.
6
Still, as I
Again get lost,
You began to wander seeking me,
You found me again.
7
With much shame,
Shrinking within me,
I tried to run away
To hide again from you.
8
Wherever I run,
There is no place to hide.
But I don’t have the courage
To come back to you.
9
Therefore, as you have done in the past,
Coming on your own,
You should carry me on your shoulders,
Taking me again further.
10
Realizing my situation
Very clearly,
I came again
Voluntarily unto you.
11
How much patience
You have!
But that alone remains
As the protection to me.
Mathigiri, 19-08-2021, 11.30
BT Song 1283 No Other Means
Classical English Version
1
Whether I come willingly,
Or stray from thee afar,
No means have I to live
Without thy guiding star.
2
Alone I stand and falter,
In frustration’s cold embrace.
Without thy guiding hand,
I am lost within this space.
3
Thou gavest me a path,
And bid me walk thereon.
Yet, hesitant, I lingered,
My courage all but gone.
4
Still, thou camest near,
With compassion in thine eyes,
Thou took my hand in love,
And led me with thy wise.
5
Thou didst smash the hurdles
That upon my path did lie.
Thou brought me safe to shore,
No further harm to nigh.
6
Still, when I did wander,
Lost in paths unknown,
Thou sought me in the darkness,
And brought me back to home.
7
With shame within my heart,
I tried to flee and hide.
Yet thou didst find me still,
And held me by thy side.
8
Wherever I did run,
No place was there to hide.
Yet courage lacked I sorely,
To come to thee with pride.
9
As thou hast done before,
In times of past and old,
Come, carry me once more,
Within thy gentle hold.
10
Realizing now my state,
With clarity and truth,
I came to thee once more,
With voluntary move.
11
How great thy patience is!
It shields me from all strife.
In thy enduring grace,
I find my protection and my life.
Mathigiri, 19-08-2021, 11.30
BT Song 1284
See: Shooting the boat
BT Song 1284 My Own Time
Simple English Version
1
Time like this
Is exclusively for me.
This is the time
When you come to have fellowship with me.
2
I was waiting
Only for this.
If you stay with me,
I will find peace within me.
3
I should give
Time for others.
I should
Serve them.
4
But oh my Lord,
I should understand
My own need
Amidst all of them.
5
When you become
My personal need,
I receive
A new kind of strength.
6
I gain more strength
Through your fellowship,
That will bestow
So many blessings.
7
If I remain
An empty vessel,
Only mere
Noise will come out of it.
8
If you pour down your Spirit
And fill it,
Peace will come back
Like a full vessel.
9
The time that I receive
That peace
Is the time
When you come to have fellowship with me.
10
I was waiting
Only for that.
As you came to join me,
I found joy in it.
Mathigiri, 27-08-2021, 2.30 p.m.
BT Song 1284 My Own Time
Classical English Version
1
A time such as this
Is exclusively mine.
This is the hour
When thou dost fellowship with me.
2
I have awaited
Only this moment.
If thou stay with me,
Peace shall dwell within my soul.
3
I must allot
Time for others.
I must
Serve them.
4
But, O my Lord,
I must comprehend
My own needs
Amidst all of them.
5
When thou art
My personal need,
I receive
A new kind of strength.
6
I garner greater strength
Through thy fellowship,
Which bestows upon me
So many blessings.
7
If I remain
An empty vessel,
Only mere
Noise shall emanate from it.
8
If thou dost pour down thy Spirit
And fill it,
Peace shall return
Like a vessel filled to the brim.
9
The time I receive
That peace
Is the time
When thou dost fellowship with me.
10
I have waited
Only for that.
As thou camest to join me,
I found joy therein.
Mathigiri, 27-08-2021, 2.30 p.m.
BT Song 1285
See: Shooting the boat
BT Song 1285 You Are Pushing Me
Simple English Version
1
If you take my hand and lead,
I will follow you.
If you teach me,
I will do my duty.
2
I don’t have
My own thoughts.
I don’t have the courage
To go my own way.
3
I don’t know
What is right or wrong.
I don’t know
How to act independently.
4
I hesitate
As I lack courage.
I stand alone
Without companions.
5
When you give courage
And companionship,
Hesitation disappears
On its own.
6
Though my heart desires,
My body lacks strength.
Though many offer help,
My mind remains unclear.
7
Still, as you stand
And push me from behind,
I follow your way;
There is no alternative.
8
Therefore, whatever
The result may be,
I don’t have
Any share in it.
9
As you stand behind and guide me,
I stand on the stage and act,
But the audience
Doesn’t know this.
10
In one way, this is
Good for me.
My relationship with you
Is special; I will say this.
11
I live each day
In this fellowship.
Therefore, I walk
Along with you.
Mathigiri, 27-08-2021, 11.10
Classical English Version
1
If thou takest my hand and leadest,
I shall follow thee.
If thou teachest me,
Then shall I fulfill my duty.
2
I possess not
My own thoughts.
I lack the courage
To tread my own path.
3
I know not
What is right or wrong.
I know not
How to act independently.
4
I hesitate
For want of courage.
I stand alone,
Bereft of companions.
5
When thou bestowest courage
And companionship,
Hesitation vanishes
Of its own accord.
6
Though my heart desires,
My body is weak.
Though many offer aid,
My mind remains unclear.
7
Yet, as thou standest
And pushest me from behind,
I follow thy path;
There is no alternative.
8
Thus, whatever
The outcome may be,
I claim no
Part therein.
9
As thou standest behind and guidest me,
I stand on the stage and act,
Yet the audience
Knoweth not this.
10
In one way, this is
Beneficial to me.
My relationship with thee
Is special; thus I proclaim.
11
Each day I live
In this fellowship.
Thus, I walk
In thy company.
Mathigiri, 27-08-2021, 11.10
BT Song 1281 ஒன்றானோம்
உனக்காக வாழ்வேன்
உனக்குள்ளே வாழ்வேன்
எனக்காகத் தனியாக
நீ தந்த வரமிது
உனக்காக வாழ்ந்து
உளமாறப் பணிந்து
அனுதினம் உன்னோடு
வாழ்ந்து சுவைப்பேன்
எல்லோருக்கும் பொதுவாக
இறைவனாய் இருந்தாலும்
எனக்கெனத் தனியாக
உறவுண்டு உன்னிடம்
அதை நாடி நானும்
உன்னிடம் வரும்போது
எனக்குள்ளே முன்பாக
வருவாயே தப்பாது
இந்த உறவின்றி
உன்தனி உறவின்றி
பிறரோடு உறவாட
எத்தனை முயன்றாலும்
நீர்மீது எண்ணையாய்
கலக்காது தனியாகப்
பேருக்கு ஒன்றாக
கூடிடும் சபையாகும்
அதுபோல கூடிடும்
சபையுண்டு உலகிலே
அதுபற்றிக் குறைசொல்லிப்
பயனில்லை இனிமேலே
ஆகவே நீயாக உன்
மேனியில் இணைக்காமல்
கூடிடும் சபையாலே
பயனேது உலகிலே
ஆயினும் பலர்தேவை
அதனால் நிறைவேற
அதுபற்றி நான்கூற
உரிமையும் எனக்கில்லை
அவர்போகும் வழியிலே
அவருமே போகட்டும்
என்வழி உன்னோடு
தனியாக இருக்கட்டும்
அவரவர் தேவையை
அறிந்ததால் நீயுமே
அவர்நாடும் உறவாக
மாறியே வருகிறாய்
இறுதியில் எல்லோரும்
உன்னிலே ஒன்றாவோம்/ஒன்றானோம்
என்பதை எண்ணியே
உன்னைக் கொண்டாடுவோம்
மத்திகிரி, 8-8-2021, மதியம் 2.50
BT Song 1282 நீதான் செய்கிறாய்
அனுதினம் இதிலொரு
அமைதியும் காண்கிறேன்
அருகினில் அமர்ந்து
உன்னுடன் பேசுறேன்
ஒருநொடிப் பிரிவின்றி
என்னுடன் இணைந்தாய்
என்நலம் மட்டுமே
எண்ணியே இருந்தாய்
உள்ளமும் உணராத
ஒருவித உறவிது
ஊருக்கும் உலகுக்கும்
சொன்னாலும் புரியாது
என்மனம் கூட
இதனையும் அறியாது
எப்படிச் சொல்லவும்
மொழி கிடையாது
இரகசிய உறவிது
எனக்கூற முடியாது
மறைகூட இதுபற்றி
சொன்னது கிடையாது
தத்துவம் ஏதுமே
தர்க்கிக்க இயலாது
இதுஒரு பரவசம்
எவருக்கும் புரியாது
இதற்கான தேவை
நமக்குமே இல்லை
அதற்கான நேரமும்
நம்மிடம் இல்லை
நீ தர நான்பெற
முடிவேதும் இல்லை
இப்புவியோடு இது
முடிவதும் இல்லை
ஆயினும் இதுபற்றி
நானேன் எழுதறேன்
அதுமட்டும் எனக்குப்
புரியாத விந்தை
அதற்கான காரணம்
உனக்குத்தான் தெரியும்
அதுபற்றி நானேன்
புரிந்திட முயலணும்
இதையும் நீதான்
எழுதிடச் சொல்கிறாய்
அதற்கேற்ப சொற்களைத்
தொகுத்துமே தருகிறாய்
அருகினில் அமர்ந்து
நீ சரிபார்க்கிறாய்
அதிலே அமைதியை
காணச் செய்கிறாய்
மத்திகிரி, 10-08-2021, காலை 6.15
BT Song 1283 வழியில்லை
விரும்பியே வந்தாலும்
ஒதுங்கியே நின்றாலும்
உன்துணை இல்லாமல்
வாழ்ந்திட வழியில்லை
தனித்து நான் நிற்கிறேன்
தவித்துமே போகிறேன்
திசை நீ காட்டாமல்
தொலைந்துமே போகிறேன்
எனக்கொரு வழி தந்து
நடந்திட சொன்னாய்
அதில் செல்ல மனமின்றி
தயங்கியே நின்றேன்
அதன்பின்னும் பரிவுடன்
அருகினில் நீ வந்து
அன்புடன் கரம் பற்றி
நடத்தியே நீ சென்றாய்
இடைவந்த தடைகள்
அனைத்தையும் நொறுக்கி
சேதாரம் வாராமல்
என்னை கரை சேர்த்தாய்
ஆயினும் மீண்டும்
தொலைந்து போக
எனைத் தேடித் திரிந்து
என்னையும் கண்டாய்
நாணி நடுங்கிக்
கூனிக் குறுகி
ஓடி ஒளிய
மீண்டும் முயன்றேன்
எங்கு நான் ஓடினும்
மறைந்திட இடமில்லை
ஆயினும் உன்னிடம்
வந்திடத் துணிவில்லை
ஆகவே முன்போலே
நீயாக முன்வந்து
தோள் மீது எனை தூக்கி
சுமந்து செல்லணும்
இந்த என் நிலமை
நன்கு உணர்ந்து
விரும்பி நானும்
உன்னிடம் வந்தேன்
எத்தனை பொறுமை
உனக்கு இருக்கு
அதுவே எனக்கு
அரணாய் இருக்கு
மத்திகிரி, 19-08-2021, இரவு, 11.30
BT Song 1284 எனக்கான நேரம்
இதுபோன்ற தருணம்
எனக்கான நேரம்
என்னோடு நீ வந்து
உறவாடும் காலம்
இதற்காகத் தானே
காத்திருந்தேனே
என்னோடு நீ தங்க
அமைதி காண்பேனே
பிறர்க்காக நேரம்
தந்திட வேண்டும்
பிறர்க்காக நானும்
உழைத்திட வேண்டும்
ஆயினும் அதனிடை
எனக்குள்ள தேவையை
ஐயனே நானும்
உணர்ந்திட வேண்டும்
என்தேவை நீயாக
இருந்திடும் போது
எனக்குள்ளே வந்திடும்
புதுவிதத் தெம்பு
அதன்மூலம் எனக்கு
வந்திடும் வலிமை
அதுவே நீ தரும்
அளப்பறும் நன்மை
காலிக் குடமாக
நானும் இருந்தால்
வீணில் ஓசை
மட்டுமே வந்திடும்
உன் ஆவி ஊற்றி
நீயும் நிறைக்க
நிறைகுடம் போல
அமைதியும் திரும்பும்
அந்த அமைதி
நான் பெறும் தருணம்
என்னோடு நீ வந்து
அமர்ந்திடும் காலம்
அதற்காக நானும்
காத்திருந்தேனே
நீ வந்து சேர
மகிழ்வு கொண்டேனே
மத்திகிரி, 27-08-2021, மதியம் 2.30
BT Song 1285 உந்தியே தள்ளுறாய்
கரம் பற்றி நடத்த
பின்பற்றி நடப்பேன்
கற்று நீ தந்தால்
கடமையைச் செய்வேன்
எனக்கெனத் தனியொரு
எண்ணமும் இல்லை
என்வழி சென்றிடத்
துணிவுமே இல்லை
தவறெது சரியெது
நானறியேனே
தனித்துச் செயல்பட
வகை அறியேனே
தயங்கி நிற்கிறேன்
துணிவில்லை என்பதால்
தனித்து நிற்கிறேன்
துணையில்லை என்பதால்
துணிவும் துணையும்
நீ தரும் போது
தயக்கமும் தான்போல்
மறைந்தே போகுது
உள்ளம் விரும்பினும்
தெம்பில்லை உடலில்
உதவிடப் பலர் வந்தும்
தெளிவில்லை மனதில்
ஆயினும் பின்நின்று
உந்தி நீ தள்ள
போகிறேன் உன்வழி
மாற்றெனக் கில்லை
ஆகவே விளைவு
எதுவாக இருப்பினும்
அதிலே என பங்கு
ஒன்றுமே இல்லை
பின்நின்று இயக்க
முன்னின்று ஆடுறேன்
பார்க்கின்ற பிறருக்குத்
தெரிவதும் இல்லை
இதுவும் ஒருவிதம்
நல்லது என்பேன்
எனக்குள்ள உறவு
தனியெனச் சொல்வேன்
அந்த உறவில
அனுதினம் வாழ்கிறேன்
ஆகவே உன்னுடன்
நானும் நடக்கிறேன்
மத்திகிரி, 27-08-2021, இரவு, 11.10
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