The World as Meditation - 993 Words

Where is the line that separates imagination and reality? Can imagination heal a wounded heart? In the poem, The World as Meditation by Wallace Stevens, Penelope, seeking to allay her irresistible longing for her husband, immerses in a metaphysical state of thought about Odysseus and their love. Her daily engagement in such form of imagination illuminates her unbending loyalty, growing yearning, and unconditional love towards her husband. Through various literary devices, Stevens shows the power of imagination to fortify one’s mind by shifting away from the cold reality and venturing into a realm of transcendental thoughts: an empowering meditation. Stevens begins the poem, emphasizing Penelope’s mixture of doubt and yearning for†¦show more content†¦Things don’t appear as distinct in the horizon line especially when its at dawn when its hazy, yet to have that someone â€Å"above† the horizon, it conveys his majestic self, and its as if he brings glory to the world, alongside with the sun, while the sun can also represent her growing hope for his return, once again, the fire in her sparks. The powerful imagination of Penelope reflects the strong yearning of his husband. Through an â€Å"inhuman meditation†, a state where Penelope soars from reality and into deep transcendental thoughts, she â€Å"composed† a self to welcome him. The symbol of composed indicates that Penelope had prepared, and planned well, for the day of his return, â€Å"which she imagined†, which paradoxically states that, she is ready for something that would never come. Penelope knew Odysseus had died, yet her yearning drove her away from reality and heightens her belief. The narrator replaces Odysseus as a â€Å"dear friend†. In a marriage statement, it says â€Å"till death separates us† which means only after death would their love be disintegrated, however a friendship’s bond is everlasting; Penelope’s desire. Odysseus would be her â€Å"necklace and belt†. These metaphors suggest that Penelope longs to be embraced. While jewelry completes a woman, Odysseus will complete her, enhancing the everlasting harmony betweenSho w MoreRelatedThe World as Meditation977 Words   |  4 PagesWhere is the line that separates imagination and reality? Can imagination heal a wounded heart? In the poem, The World as Meditation by Wallace Stevens, Penelope, seeking to allay her irresistible longing for her husband, immerses in a metaphysical state of thought about Odysseus and their love. Her daily engagement in such form of imagination illuminates her unbending loyalty, growing yearning, and unconditional love towards her husband. Through various literary devices, Stevens shows the powerRead MoreThe Meditation Health Benefits Of The World1102 Words   |  5 Pagesold activity one opens their mental and physical wellbeing to multiple benefits. â€Å"It did to my mind what going to the gym did to my body† said Dr. Hedy Kober, a neuroscientist who studies the effects of meditation, â€Å"it made it both stronger and more flexible.†(Meditation Health Benefits). Meditation is a practice that may train on e’s mind to be at a state of consciousness and wholeness. Throughout history Buddhist monks and other eastern religions have been utilizing this practice for religious purposesRead MoreYoga Sutras And Early Buddhist Meditation1118 Words   |  5 Pages Both the Yoga sutras and early Buddhist meditation studies the eightfold or eight limbs practices and principles. The eightfold of the early Buddhist meditation practices includes the right view, right resolve, right speech, right action, right livelihood, right effort, right mindfulness, and right concentration. The eight limbs of Yoga sutra meditation similarly practices five restraints, five observances, postures, breath control, control of the senses, concentration, contemplation, and meditativeRead MoreAnalysis Of Descartes s The Six Meditations 1272 Words   |  6 PagesThrough the six Meditations, Descartes comes to the conclusion that memories and dreams are deceptive and are not to be trusted. He discusses the existence of material objects, God, and himself. God exists and allows deception and Descartes’ ability to recognize that everything is false proves that he exists as well. He explains the difference between imagination and intellect, as well as the idea that the senses are deceptive and that knowledge comes from the mind and reason. Descartes’ belief inRead MoreExploring the Practices and Types of Meditation1479 Words   |  6 PagesStated most simply, Meditation is the practice of deep concentration of the mind. The practice involves either altered state of mind or relaxed state of body. Meditation has been around for thousands of years. Evidence of the practice can be found throughout history in many different religions and many different places in the world. In the past decades, the practice has gained new popularity in the world for its physical, psychological and spiritual benefits. Many people have tried and felt the benefitRead MoreIsabella Vigil . Mr.Short . College Composition . 19 March848 Words   |  4 PagesComposition 19 March 2017 A Spiritual Gain but a Financial Lose Meditation has always been seen as a way to keep the mind and soul healthy. Mediation dates back to 1500 BCE originating in Ancient India. The practice soon started to expand and adapt to other cultures around the world. Some of the earliest references to meditation are found in the Hindu scriptures and it was around the 6th to 5th centuries that other forms of meditation developed into Confucian, Taoist China, and Buddhist India (Taham)Read More Meditation and the Brain Essay1538 Words   |  7 PagesMeditation and the Brain When discussing the relationship of brain and behavior, the materialist view of human experience runs into conflict with the historically dominant religious accounts. Recent studies, however, suggests that there may be a middle view between the two world-views. Religions, especially Buddhism, stress the role of meditation in ones spiritual growth. Meditation has tangible psychological and physiological benefits, though, which can be explained strictly in neurobiologicalRead MoreA Research Study On Meditation966 Words   |  4 Pages10/15/15 History Research Paper on Meditation May I be well and happy. May I be peaceful and calm. May I be protected from dangers. May my mind be free from hatred. May my heart be filled with love. May I be well and happy. (1) Meditation is a powerful tool that can be used by anyone regardless race,gender,social standing, religion, and intelligence. It’s a unifying practice. Meditation is a conscious effort to change how the mind works for better understanding the world and yourself. Throughout historyRead MoreEssay about Buddhist Religion Experience: Personal Narrative1521 Words   |  7 Pagescuriosity. I decided I would visit a Buddhist center. With the company of my mother, I went to the Diamond Way Buddhist Center in Miami. According to my interview with the Buddhist that instructed the meditation service, every Monday and Friday they have a meditation service for the 16th Karmapa meditation from 8:00pm to 8:30pm. This center is part of the Karma Kagyu lineage of Tibetan Buddhism (Anonymous). Upon arriving, I reali zed that it was in someone’s home. Many Buddhist offer their homes for BuddhistRead MoreWhy Mindfulness Meditation Gaining So Much Popularity Essay900 Words   |  4 PagesWhy Is Mindfulness Meditation Gaining So Much Popularity in the West? By Charles A Francis | Submitted On March 26, 2012 Recommend Article Article Comments Print Article Share this article on Facebook Share this article on Twitter Share this article on Google+ Share this article on Linkedin Share this article on StumbleUpon Share this article on Delicious Share this article on Digg Share this article on Reddit Share this article on Pinterest Expert Author Charles A Francis If you re new