Rainer Maria Rilke

Rainer Maria Rilke was born on this day in 1875.

It is my contention that if the assertions of the Zen way are “true,” then they are “natural,” and therefore we should find similar insights bursting forth across cultures.

And here we are. I think Rilke is a shinning example of a spiritual artist drawing upon the common inspiration that gives life meaning and direction…

While preparing for this entry I found a lovely web page at the Nebraska Zen Center’s website. Their lead teacher, Nonin Chowaney is one of my favorite Western Zen teachers. At Zen in European and Middle Eastern Poetry we find a range of poetry, including Rilke’s, that point to that deeper place where all hurt and joy, longing and finding are reconciled…