toward emptiness

In the desert,

Turn toward emptiness,

Fleeing the self.

Stand alone

Ask no one's help,

And your being will quiet,

Free from the bondage of things.

Those who cling to the world,

endeavor to free them;

Those who are free, praise.

Care for the sick,

But live alone,

Happy to drink from the waters of sorrow,

To kindle Love's fire

With the twigs of a simple life.

Thus you will live in the desert.

Mechtild of Magdeburg

translation by Jane Hirshfield

effortlessly

Effortlessly,

Love flows from God to man,

Like a bird

Who rivers the air

Without moving her wings.

Thus we move in His world

One in body and soul,

Though outwardly separate in form.

As the Source strikes the note,

Humanity sings -

The Holy Spirit is our harpist,

And all the strings

Which are touched in Love

Must sound.

~ Mechtild of Magdeburg
(1210-1282)

overspilling

Of all that God has shown me

I can speak just the smallest word,

Not more than a honey bee

Takes on his foot

From an overspilling jar.

~ Mechtild of Magdeburg

from Women in Praise of the Sacred

the smallest word

Of all that God has shown me

I can speak just the smallest word,

Not more than a honey bee

Takes on his foot

From an overspilling jar.

~ Mechtild of Magdeburg

in every moment

True love in every moment praises God.

Longing love brings a sorrow sweet to the pure.

Seeking love belongs to itself alone.

Understanding love gives itself equally to all.

Enlightened love is mingled with the sadness of the world.

But selfless love bears an effortless fruit,

Working so quietly even the body cannot say how it comes and goes.

~ Mechtild of Magdeburg