by D Shapiro
LECH LECHA
(Hebrew melody meaning “Go forth”)
This poem was written during a conference in 1990 in Holland at a gathering of meditation teachers from different traditions: Sufi, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Taoist, Buddhist
It is a poem about particular paths pointing to the Universal One. There are three stanzas of Chinese Linked verse, each stanza contexted by two words of the Shema
Shema Israel/Adonai Eloheinu/Adonai Echad
Listen to that part of you who wrestle with and toward God; God who is distant and impersonal, God who is close and near us; all these: we who wrestle, the far God, the near God…..Echad (are One).