Poem Sixteen discusses the emotional and mental process of meditation. It states”empty yourself of everything. Let the mind become still.” Stillness is a very powerful thing to master. On a day to day basis our minds are clouded with hundreds of different thoughts. Shutting those thoughts down and listening to your body and mind is a technique that many people have not mastered.
Throughout Poem Sixteen, there is a striking comparison of nature and stillness. The author notes “they grow and flourish and then return to the source. Returning to the source is stillness, which is the way of nature.” As a self proclaimed mediation guru this quote stood out to me. I have always believed that when we empty our minds we essentially become pure again. . If we successfully meditate we free ourselves from negative thoughts and energy. I also believe that meditation can help us transcend to new spiritual heights.
When reading this poem I also thought that the author was explaining to process of meditation. The connection between meditation and current time is a great example. Today we think about everything, classes, our future, job, etc. Having all this on your mind stresses you out, it will wear you down both mentally and physically. Sometimes you have to just let go. Also I feel like the author is trying to link part of this meditation to Buddha. “Being royal, you will attain the divine. Being divine, you will be at one with the Tao.” this quote is similar to when Siddhartha became enlightened and became one with himself thus become the Buddha. Siddhartha also meditated for 49 day, while I doubt anyone can meditate for that long I want to establish the link between mediation and becoming enlightened, or how it is quoted “attain the divine”.