Nonviolence inspires art. Can art inspire nonviolence?

The Metta Center’s neighbor, Bill Denham,
is an exceptional poet.
He expresses himself sincerely in art, in poetry,
in wood, and in concert with the Earth.
When Bill read Gandhi the Man
he was inspired to write these beautiful haiku,
and to share them with us.
(The book was a gift to Bill from Metta,
and was written by Eknath Easwaran,
spiritual teacher of Metta’s founders.)
In turn, we share them with you as a reminder
of the connection between all things…

…for so it is that some people come to understanding
through reason.
Others come to it through emotion.
Some come to it through devotion,
Some through suffering,
Some through the work of their own hands.
Perhaps still others come upon it by accident 🙂
And for some,
Only art can tell a story that their souls can comprehend.
It is to those souls especially that these haiku are offered.

For it is the same with nonviolence as it is with all understanding. We all carry it within us, but it is through different points of entry that we gain access to its great treasures.  Deep respect to all the artists of this planet, and loving gratitude to Bill Denham for tending to our shared space with his work and his words.

After reading Gandhi the Man
—five haiku

One question —a haiku

Tell me, whenever
Does a right act come out of
A violent one?

There’s always blowback —a haiku

Never, ever does
A bullet or a bomb make
Anything better.

Ahimsa —a haiku

Show me violence
In any form and I will
Show you a mistake.

Another question —a haiku

Tell me, when has fear
Ever produced a single
Right action? Can you?

Gandhi — a haiku

Gandhi, my main man,
Lays it out for all to see—
Just satyagraha!

BD 11/12/09