In God Makes the Rivers to Flow; An Anthology of the World’s Sacred Poetry & Prose, Eknath Easwaran includes a selection from Tukaram entitled “In Me Thou Livest.” I’ve written the following poem-like reflections inspired by this selection.
Sense of Self
Take, Lord, unto Thyself
My sense of self; and let it vanish utterly.
Take, Lord, my life,
Live Thou my life through me.
—Tukaram
May I forget about my ego gratifications.
May I forget praise.
May I forget accomplishments and pride.
May I forget my desire for money, for clothes,
for a new car, for a home of my own.
May I let go of craving for sumptuous meals
and sugary snacks.
May I release my desire for the love
of another.
May I forget to be admired.
May I forget blame and judgment.
May I forgive all ills.
May I release anger and sadness.
May I open my heart to give love.
May I open my hands to give all I have.
May I forget the labels that have been
placed upon me: daughter, sister, aunt,
cousin, niece, granddaughter, poet,
author, hypnotist, therapeutic practitioner.
May I forget even my name.
May my identity be God and child of God.
May your spirit, Lord, fill me up
from my feet to the crown.
May I be filled with your light.
May I be consumed by your presence.
May I release my will, surrender my will,
so that my only will is your own.
Fill up my mind with your wisdom.
Fill up my mind with your guidance.
Take my hands and make them yours.
Take my mouth and speak through me.
Use my body to serve the highest good.
Make me into your instrument.
Awaken in me that pure trust
that if I serve you, you will provide for me.
If I dedicate myself to your ministry,
you will meet all my needs.
You will meet all my needs through me
and through the hands of those I serve.
Make me into your instrument.
Make me forget that I ever had an identity
other than yours.
Make me forget I ever believed
I was separate from you.
Help me to forget that I ever believed
I owned anything.
Make me forget my sense of self
and remember only our unity.
