Poetry and Spirituality

Posted by Linda Sue Grimes Jan 12, 2007

Because spirituality focuses on the non-physical, the language used to express ideas has to be metaphorical, rather than literal. Actually, the major problems between and among religions can be attributed to the fact that they use different metaphors, that too many people are unwilling to appreciate.

Poetry sometimes addresses the realms of being that are not seen, particularly the emotions. While we might be cognizant of the results of emotional responses, we cannot actually see, hear, touch them. For example, we can see the affect of love, anger, or joy, but the actual body of such beings is not detected by the five senses. Therefore, to express emotion in poetry, we have to use metaphor and image, just as we do in expressing spiritual or religious ideas.

For an article that explores this issue, please see "The Spiritual Altar: Yoga and Chanunpa."