Throughout our lives, we adopt certain values and beliefs regarding our existence in the world, whether we accept them through our parents, communities around us, or perhaps through our own research. For many, we discover our core beliefs through a religion we practice; however, it was only when I stopped practicing my early religion that I embarked on my spiritual journey, during which I formed my own beliefs. Similarly, my mother had ceased practice of Catholicism to go on to her own spiritual journey that helped through listening to podcasts and meditation. I started my spiritual journey during the pandemic, becoming increasingly aware of myself and my body and the world around me as I also meditated and practiced yoga almost everyday. I read books that supported my expanding beliefs such as Buddha in Your Backpack: Everyday Buddhism for Teens by Franz Metcalf and The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho, forever altering my perception of the world. This poem details my personal journey exploring spirituality and the profoundly enlightening experiences I’ve had since starting my journey. Our diverse perspectives and viewpoints are a fundamental aspect of human experience, and I encourage everyone to introspect as it may lead you to better understand yourself.

Nurturing Journey

When the day grows dark I’m leaving, its time

Leave the physical world behind and look,

beyond the stars as the sun lays to rest

Moonlight slips through my curtainless window

The universe sings its song of silence 

beckons me to follow its serene call

Endeavoring to awaken once more

I allow my mind a respite from time

Immediately wandering around, 

weighted thoughts I carry throughout the day

finally, being put down to peruse 

I sort through them like a camera reel,

replaying morning before noon fast paced

An endless amount of overthinking,

any word any statement that struck me

I reflect, dissect its true intention

Baggage is lighter I set it aside 

my body, my limbs, my muscles, my fat

how heavy it is my soul must carry

Ground restricted by finite, brief, pleasures

 Energy I give, I am receiving

Positive and negative, but never,

have I wasted significant lessons 

I exist only in relationships,

with other beings I’ve connected with

Found those who thrive in their fated moments

We live to seek growth in ourselves we rise

I release myself from my feet bounded

Physical world attachments release me 

I depart from my fleshy confinement,

escaping my body every nightfall

Pressure sets onto my head struggling,

pulls me back, but I strain free painfully 

I feel lighter, translucent, starlight shines

I illuminate seated for a ride

Shifting from realities to extremes

Spirits guide me giving vivid visions

Lives that aren’t mine, but have been lived by me

No feeling of headache or discomfort,

just a transparent fluid, silver stream

Streams of energy flow internally, 

seeing flashes of light in a dark void

My view turns at an angle I can see 

An overgrown labyrinth, tangled vines, 

clawing up on its ancient, crumbled walls

A deep sea blue coats the sky above me

Shades of amethyst purple overlap

marveling, I bask in the scenery

Moments that lie in the impossible,

extraordinary, dies out instantly 

When uncertainty takes over our minds

we set restrictions to our potential

blocking our seven inner energies

Our paths no longer clear to continue

We walk the expected path given

to us no longer ours but theirs to shape,

control, manipulate, be led astray

Diminish boundless dreamers  who take flight

to see beyond their eyes, detach themselves

from the material, traveling realms 

Transcending humanity, open eye

Spark manifests your desired destiny, 

Seeking out your personal truth within

You are not your mind, you are not your thoughts

You are love, you are free, you are growing.