Being a writer means that, from time to time, I might be asked personal and profound questions from perfect strangers.
Like this morning, when someone reached out to me on social media asking me if I thought that there was a link between poetry and magic; as well as if I thought (my) words could change the world?!
That’s a mouthful and I did my best to give my curious interlocutor an honest, thoughtful answer.
I don’t know what you mean by magic and, frankly, it’s a word I’m suspicious of —as it implies fakery, deception or worse, diabolical influence.
I do believe in the power of words to persuade, open eyes and hearts, expand consciousness, speak truth to power and, yes, eventually inspire change.
The artist may be both a visionary and activist.
Poets don’t, always, know where the poetry comes from, so in this sense poetry is a ‘gift from the Unseen’ (perhaps this is what you mean by magic?)
I hope I’ve answered your vast question — which is one I address more fully in my new book: Revolutions of the Heart a work concerned with crises and transformation.
At this point, the gentleman asking me the tough questions narrowed it down, stating
No, I mean the literal sense of the word magic.
Whether it happening through unclear cause and effect type of relationship, or through the intervention of a third party,i.e, unknown forces, demons etc...
Can words be part of that equation?
Here, was my reply below:
This is a delicate subject & one I’m not entirely comfortable discussing — but perhaps it’s easier to speak freely with a stranger.
I believe that words have a life and power of their own & that the right combination in the right sequence (say, poetry) can cast a kind of “spell”.
Poet William Blake famously said of poet John Milton that he was of the ‘devils brigade’ when he wrote his epic, Paradise Lost, and unconsciously cast Satan as the hero.
But, I also believe in miracles and Divine favors and prefer to associate myself with inspiration that reflects the Light …
Poet Milosz addressed this tricky subject best in his poem, Ars Poetica
The purpose of poetry is to remind us
how difficult it is to remain just one person,
for our house is open, there are no keys in the doors,
and invisible guests come in and out at will.
What I'm saying here is not, I agree, poetry,
as poems should be written rarely and reluctantly,
under unbearable duress and only with the hope
that good spirits, not evil ones, choose us for their instrument.
You can listen to my reading of the full poem, here
Finally, my interlocutor identified himself as a sceptic and asked me, more bluntly, if I am a believer.
My reply was as follows:
I believe in the esoteric and gnosis and revelation.
I also come from a skeptic background as yourself, having been immersed in Existentialist philosophy.
But that seems like a lifetime ago & I am tired now of the tyranny of the mind and logic’s chew toys.
These matters cannot be proven, they are revealed to the mind that surrenders in humility.
Lately, I’m deeply inspired by the mystical branch of Sufism & hope to visit Morocco one day (where the stranger told me he is from).
In fact my next book, Desert Songs, is a collaboration with a talented Moroccan photographer about the mysticism of the desert.
Only silence and contemplation reveal mysteries…
In closing, the stranger spelled it out for me:
The reason why I am talking openly about what's bothering me, is because you understand both the Islamic and Western cultures. And I hope I can learn or get a lead through someone of similar intellectual background.
My response was:
You must resolve what's "bothering you" for yourself, quietly. Over the years, I've learned the futility of debating with atheist, agnostics and sceptics. Find a way to straddle two cultures without being torn apart, not to throw the baby out with the bath water. Instead of being reactionary and argumentative with your cultural/religious background, focus on what is worth salvaging from it.
So, what do you think, fellow Hivean of poetry and magic and all of the above?
Oh, there is always something magical about poetry. I cannot remember who said it, but poems are like beings that can strike you at any time, you should always be ready and able to write the mysterious words down. I guess this is not, like you also said, what your interlocuter meant with magic.
Coming from western philosophy, I feel that we overlook the "magical" side of life, or more clearly, the things we do not have answers for. My own understanding of the western mindset is that we want to understand everything and give an explanation to everything. But seldom do we actually look deeply and attentively enough, because once you look too deep, the rigid foundations start to weaken. And I think this is where the "magic" lies for me, and this is the realm where artists and poets revel in.
Great post, my friend and fellow philosopher.
Thank you, @fermentedphil, for your typically thoughtful reply. I agree about Western philosophy not allowing enough room for Mystery and I have found a corrective to this in Eastern mysticism and poetry. Silent contemplation and humble surrender, in my experience, tend to produce more answers (revelation, even) than the arrogance of egoism approaching the problem from only one side: logic.
I've begun to think of existence as a great love story: every shy creature or timid truth wants to be courted; ever secret wants to be told. If only we listen... with our entire being. Have a lovely day 🙏
My friend, fellow philosopher, you have a way with words that appeals to me!
This is one of the most profound things I have read today. This speaks volumes about my own way of living or being.
And I have also tried to find thinkers from the western tradition that break its bonds with the hegemonic rule of logic. As I am versed and schooled in western philosophy, that is what I understand the best at the moment. I have found a particular liking to thinkers in the tradition of Pyrrho, who is said to have either taught Buddhism its skepticism or who learned from the Buddhist's their way of being and brought it back to Greece. And their philosophy, in my reading, goes back to what you have said about courting every shy truth and not to be overtaken by vapid egoism fueled by quasi-logic/rationalism.
Have a splendid day! 🙏
It's good to be heard. If you're interested, drop me a line at [email protected] and I'm happy to share with you essays charting my philosophical evolution. I think you'll enjoy them and, perhaps, you might consider reviewing my work in a post on Hive :)
I will write you an email and I would be honored to read your philosophical evolution. I would feel honored to write a review!
Thank you, for this heart-warming response, fellow thinker & seeker. I've received your email and am getting ready to reply, shortly. Hope your day is off to a fine start 🙏
I am looking forward to the joint exploration! I am replying soon.
Words have meaning, and words *make things happen - whole books on this subject have been written. The Gospel of John is one of the most profound and beautiful:
That takes us back to Genesis: God said "Let there be light," and voila! There was light! All because God SAID...?
Ok, I had to stop there, go blog about it some more, and come back two hours later with this: Do You Believe in Magic, Messages from "The Other Side" and the Power of Words?)
Thank you for this, Yahia, today of all days.
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