The Sweetest Hours Within
The sea, vast and deep, embodies a mystical and spiritual essence unlike any other. While the land grounds us, offering security and a sense of belonging, the sea remains an enigma beyond comprehension. We boast of voyages to distant planets, yet our oceans hold much uncharted realms.
Within its boundless expanse lie not only spiritual mysteries but also our most intimate and ineffable emotions—a reflection of our true selves. Robbie Burns spoke of our desire for earthly senses, of riches limited to terra-ferma. He gives us a far richer outlet - that of intimacy and watery places, if we’re willing to wade into ourselves.
North Shore, PEI courtesy Alex G Douglas
"The worldly race may riches chase,
And riches still may fly them, O
And though at last they catch them fast,
Their hearts can ne'er enjoy them, O"
In "Green Grow The Rashes," Robbie Burns' tenderness toward affection is evident. Yet, beyond the verses lies an invitation—a permission slip—to plunge into the emotional depths. His works celebrate love, intimacy, and self-discovery. He loved the lassies, yes; But the permission slip he offers us is the ability to trust this vast ocean, if' we’re willing to get past the first blush of the poem. That watery encounters yield more of life’s riches than any form of earthy haste and waste.
"But give me a cannie hour at e'en,
My arms about my dearie, O,
And worldly cares and worldly men
May all go topsy-turvy, O!"
Burns had a way of reminding us to embrace water’s softness of delight and to bring this about to our inner understanding, also.
And to dive into the sea's emotional depths, of the hour at hand, means leaving the safety of dry land. Similarly, exploring our true nature demands shedding the facades of who we think we are. "The Sea Within You" symbolizes a grand metamorphosis, an exploration of the untamed within us. Trusting each wave as an intimate encounter, much like Burns implores us to do.
Joseph Campbell's words echo: "The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek." Our deepest potentials often reside in unexplored territories within ourselves. As we chase external earthy sensations, let us also awaken to our own inner riches, chasing treasures within our personal depths, to be intimate and soft with ourselves.
May the ocean's intimacy embrace you, offering a haven for your life's profound journey.
And may the sweetest hours be in alignment with this profound journey.
May the warmth of the Sun be yours and May the slow ocean move across you in rhythm and in celebration of your own divinity.