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Clarification on the themes of my contests - Unseeking Seeker's Blog

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Clarification on the themes of my contests

Blog Posted:7/13/2023 8:03:00 AM

Hello dear Soupers!

I received a communication from someone who wished to express that my contests seem to be oriented around a certain xyz religion he/she felt I subscribe to, which may possibly be at variance with the belief system of others. This would imply that my judging may possibly be biased (although the soupmail didn't say that), preferring value systems aligned closer to my own.

I have clarified the matter to the person concerned but then I thought that perhaps others may also be having similar doubts, so perhaps it is best if I clear the air about this. Hence this blog.

First, let me reproduce the contents of my soupmail (without mentioning who it is), clarifying my stand:

"So happy you brought this up (name of person). There should be no load on our chest.

I don’t subscribe to any ritual or religion. Religion is a belief system, dependent upon culture, tradition. It addresses our lower mind, offering hope, promising heaven and asking us to follow a God we have never seen, known or felt.

My path is spirituality. It is a direct inquiry within, with thoughts rested. Essentially dropping identity. Devoid of thought, what remains? It is that with which we connect. Or we may say, we connect with universal consciousness. 

We cannot use mind to transcend mind. However, most of us are so identified with the thinking process, that we cannot imagine awareness without thought.

It is a detailed subject. I’ll only say this: If God is omnipresent, He must be within. We then must see Him, feel Him, be able to touch Him. This is the truth but I don’t ask anyone to believe, belief is in mind, remember? We must know by becoming, by transmuting.

Rest assured, the prompts I offer have nothing to do with any religion. I do not ask of anyone to accept the direct knowing I have imbibed. No. Each must find out for themselves.

Hope this clarifies the fulcrum from which I request exploration of the ultimate truth, which is both immediate and intimate, within."

I'm this putting this out here for all to know. I do also specifically mention in my contests that it is primarily about addressing the line of inquiry. As such, there is definitely going to be subjectivity in judging but generally if someone affirms based on experience, on insight (without bringing a structured religion into play or insisting that only a specific master/teacher/adept/teaching is the only way), it is fine with me, even if it opens us to a new idea or recognition altogether.

Thanks for reading, God bless.



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Date: 7/15/2023 11:44:00 PM
Hi Unseeking. I'm still scratching my head as to why anyone would contact you in the first place as to your beliefs. You have written a beautifully articulate response in defence of them and your approach when judging contests but really you shouldn't have to. I guess it all depends on the context of the original message but if, as you suggest, it's because someone believes you might be biased when it comes to your contests then I say to them that even if that was the case then, really.. "so what?" It's the judge's perogative. Elements of bias exists in all contests anyway no matter how objective a judge tries to be - be it on grounds of religion, preference of form, theme, mood at the time etc etc. Poetry Soup guidelines actually encourage Soupers to "Study the past winners of a contest sponsored by that member" if they want a better chance of winning. Just my thoughts. Cheers - Gary
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Unseeking Seeker
Date: 7/16/2023 5:42:00 PM
True and yet, if we extrapolate, if one person expresses something, it is reasonable to assume twenty others may feel likewise but haven’t said it. Doubt is reasonable. If anyone reaches out, I’d say an attempt should be made in mindfulness, to clarify.
Date: 7/15/2023 11:39:00 AM
Seeker, I enjoy your contests and your lines of inquiry. I have my own faith and spiritual way and it may not be yours or any other persons, but I write for you and you accept my poems and my beliefs in a poetically way, and I think you accept all beliefs no matter the religion, I suggest to people just write on what you believe to be true for you.
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Unseeking Seeker
Date: 7/15/2023 7:46:00 PM
Yes, Constance. There are different coordinates at which we may be in our respective soul journeys. Each journey should be respected, allowed to develop, without any external influence. It’s like water flowing downhill. All streams eventually join the river, the river, the ocean.
Date: 7/15/2023 5:28:00 AM
Alas, it seems the "my God is bigger than your god" conflict persists....If there is only ONE G(g)od then he/she cannot get any bigger of smaller.....IT JUST IS. i enjoy your contest ... they are subtle sign posts on the path of my journey.
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Unseeking Seeker
Date: 7/15/2023 10:31:00 AM
Yes, the ‘my daddy is stronger than your daddy’ is how God has been classified in the religion vs religion battle. What a pity, more so considering that identity (ego) is actually illusionary, which we recognise if we are free from concepts and conditioning.
Date: 7/13/2023 9:49:00 PM
I do not find you biased toward a specific religion, etc. I just find your topics very difficult because my personality is so different from yours, but when one of your themes is something I can relate to, I do try it, and you have given me some wins, which felt really nice . Everyone is so different here. It is what it is.
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Unseeking Seeker
Date: 7/13/2023 10:10:00 PM
Yes indeed. I recall you had a trophy win once. God bless.
Date: 7/13/2023 6:37:00 PM
I have entered your elevated and inspiring contests since I began Soup and preferring value systems aligned closer to your own is not something you do. The proof is in the spiritual pudding, my entries, one or two have not made the cut (I went off on a tangent) and I still keep my spirits up. I detect no bias in your assessments. A lot of confusion and social strife is due to the fact that people confuse religious with spiritual. Please do not change anything, because you are not allied with any religion or sect, still we can relate to the loving spirit within us which should entice everyone, regardless of any denomination or non denomination at all. Please don't stop! ~Anaya
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Unseeking Seeker
Date: 7/13/2023 8:27:00 PM
Thank you, Anaya. No, I don’t intend to stop but at the same time, wished to make my stand clear to all. About religion, I have nothing against it. It points out the way. We have to walk upon it, however, in thought, word and deed, without any thought crutch, without resistance borne of conditioned belief.

My Past Blog Posts

 
Recognition poetry contest finalised
Date Posted: 1/4/2025 5:27:00 AM
Poetry contest~ Descent & Ascent
Date Posted: 11/22/2024 8:14:00 PM
Dreams within dreams contest concluded
Date Posted: 11/21/2024 8:42:00 PM
Animating innate vibrance contest
Date Posted: 11/13/2024 8:50:00 AM
Contest results ~ Soul speak
Date Posted: 8/29/2024 1:15:00 AM
Where’s Hiya Sharma?
Date Posted: 3/6/2024 6:10:00 PM
Contest ‘I Am’
Date Posted: 2/16/2024 5:59:00 PM
Consciousness correction contest judged
Date Posted: 11/30/2023 4:50:00 AM
Musings on faith contest
Date Posted: 10/10/2023 2:54:00 AM
Warning! Phishing soup mail
Date Posted: 9/25/2023 10:08:00 AM
Dolce Far Niente contest
Date Posted: 9/20/2023 3:11:00 AM
Clarification on the themes of my contests
Date Posted: 7/13/2023 8:03:00 AM
About dates on poems
Date Posted: 6/11/2023 6:25:00 PM
Screen of Awareness contest update
Date Posted: 5/20/2023 8:08:00 PM
PS software censoring words
Date Posted: 4/25/2023 8:43:00 PM
A wisdom download contest finalised
Date Posted: 4/24/2023 4:04:00 AM
A wisdom download poetry contest - update
Date Posted: 4/6/2023 5:46:00 AM
Death of a loved one poetry contest
Date Posted: 4/5/2023 10:31:00 PM
Now that we are here Poetry Contest update
Date Posted: 3/19/2023 6:51:00 PM
‘Now that we are here’ poetry contest update
Date Posted: 3/16/2023 1:17:00 AM
Break the mirror poetry contest judged
Date Posted: 3/13/2023 3:36:00 AM
Break the mirror contest
Date Posted: 3/7/2023 5:49:00 PM
Deja vu contest finalised
Date Posted: 3/2/2023 6:39:00 PM
Source of our awareness contest judged
Date Posted: 1/26/2023 3:42:00 AM
Be careful
Date Posted: 12/20/2022 11:58:00 PM

My Recent Poems

Date PostedPoemTitleFormCategories
5/1/2025 Believe it or not Juejudream,life,magic,spiritua
5/1/2025 In the bardo Hybronnetpeace,self,spiritual,
4/30/2025 Silence please Sapphic stanzasilence,spiritual,truth,
4/30/2025 Zen mode Rhymespiritual,
4/30/2025 Thought of the day Coupletintrospection,life,space,
4/30/2025 Hold firm resolve Rhymespiritual,
4/29/2025 how still is our stillness Free versesilence,
4/29/2025 Leaf Verseextended metaphor,spiritu
4/29/2025 Zen mode Rhymespiritual,
4/29/2025 Thought of the day Coupletdesire,joy,
4/28/2025 Granted yet denied Rhyme Royalage,desire,irony,joy,memo
4/28/2025 Say it like it is Rispettojoy,light,spiritual,
4/28/2025 as we metamorphose Layspiritual,
4/28/2025 Zen mode Quatrainspiritual,
4/28/2025 Thought of the day Quatrainintrospection,spiritual,
4/28/2025 Closed heart chakra Ottava rimaheart,lost love,
4/27/2025 Dancing in moonlight Sonnetgod,spiritual,
4/27/2025 dweller of our heart Rhymeheart,self,spiritual,wisd
4/27/2025 Zen mode Juejujoy,life,peace,silence,
4/27/2025 Thought of the day Coupletspiritual,
4/27/2025 easy breezy Than-Bauksilence,spiritual,
4/26/2025 dark night of the soul Rhymespiritual,
4/26/2025 Zen mode Rhymespiritual,
4/26/2025 Thought of the day Coupletheart,joy,spiritual,
4/26/2025 sage speak Dizainfreedom,god,spiritual,
4/25/2025 show me God Monchielle Stanzagod,self,silence,spiritua
4/25/2025 Zen mode Quatrainspiritual,
4/25/2025 Thought of the day Coupletheart,peace,spiritual,
4/25/2025 touched by spirit Rubaiyatgod,light,spiritual,
4/24/2025 pause the cause Sonnetdesire,self,silence,spiri
4/24/2025 Zen mode Rhymespiritual,
4/24/2025 Thought of the day Coupletblessing,god,silence,spir
4/24/2025 The practice Rispettosilence,spiritual,
4/23/2025 Freedom here now Rhymefreedom,joy,spiritual,
4/23/2025 fullness in emptiness Rhymejoy,peace,silence,spiritu
4/23/2025 Zen mode Rhymemystery,spiritual,
4/23/2025 Thought of the day Rhyme Royalgod,life,love,spiritual,
4/23/2025 A wilderness of mirrors Rubaiyatdream,mirror,silence,spir
4/23/2025 in this magical realm Rhymejoy,love,spiritual,
4/22/2025 cessation Rhymeintrospection,spiritual,
4/22/2025 Zen mode Rhymespiritual,
4/22/2025 Thought of the day Rhymeintrospection,
4/22/2025 As we metamorphose Ottava rimaspiritual,
4/21/2025 Interview with a fetus Free versegod,heart,life,self,spiri
4/21/2025 Zen mode Rhymejoy,spiritual,
4/21/2025 Thought of the day Ottava rimaspiritual,
4/20/2025 Almost but not quite Juejulight,self,spiritual,
4/20/2025 We walk alone Sonnetspiritual,
4/20/2025 Zen mode Rhyme Royalself,spiritual,
4/20/2025 Thought of the day Coupletheart,introspection,muse,
4/19/2025 The pathless path Rubaiyatgod,spiritual,truth,
4/19/2025 hush the blush Rhyme Royalearth,joy,love,spiritual,
4/19/2025 the joy continuum Italian Sonnetage,heart,joy,spiritual,
4/19/2025 We stand erect Rhymeblessing,god,love,spiritu
4/19/2025 Zen mode Rubaiyati am,joy,spiritual,
4/19/2025 Thought of the day Coupletfear,
4/18/2025 Zen mode Juejuspiritual,
4/18/2025 Thought of the day Coupletdeath,
4/18/2025 so spake simple Simon Than-Baukjoy,spiritual,
4/18/2025 sorrow Than-Baukintrospection,sorrow,
4/17/2025 Zen mode Quatraindream,silence,spiritual,
4/17/2025 Thought of the day Coupletgod,spiritual,
4/17/2025 The eternal question - God, no God, maybe God Crown of Sonnetsgod,spiritual,
4/16/2025 Zen mode Rhymespiritual,
4/16/2025 Thought of the day Coupletdream,life,
4/16/2025 monk mode Dizainspiritual,
4/15/2025 phoenix rises Rubaiyatlove,spiritual,
4/15/2025 Zen mode Rhymejoy,peace,silence,spiritu
4/15/2025 Thought of the day Coupletgod,joy,judgement,love,
4/15/2025 descent of grace Rhymeblessing,god,joy,
4/14/2025 Dreams within dreams Rispettodream,light,spiritual,
4/14/2025 Zen mode Ottava rimaspiritual,
4/14/2025 Thought of the day Rhymedesire,dream,introspectio
4/13/2025 a rose blossoms Ottava rimajoy,light,self,spiritual,
4/13/2025 As we metamorphose Hybronnetself,spiritual,
4/13/2025 Zen mode Rhymespiritual,
4/13/2025 Thought of the day Coupletspiritual,
4/12/2025 the light within Rhymeself,silence,spiritual,
4/12/2025 so set sail Rhymeblessing,god,joy,spiritua
4/12/2025 Zen mode Rhymelight,love,self,spiritual
4/12/2025 Thought of the day Rhymespiritual,wisdom,
4/11/2025 Zen mode Rhyme Royallight,love,silence,spirit
4/11/2025 Thought of the day Coupletintrospection,
4/10/2025 soul speak Quintillaspiritual,
4/10/2025 monk mode Sedokafreedom,senses,sensual,sp
4/10/2025 dark night of the soul Quatrainintrospection,prayer,spir
4/10/2025 Zen mode Rhymespiritual,
4/10/2025 Thought of the day Coupletgod,silence,
4/10/2025 Momento on the moon Sonnetmoon,spiritual,
4/9/2025 letter from God Rubaiyatgod,joy,light,love,self,w
4/9/2025 go be it Juejuspiritual,
4/9/2025 Zen mode Rhymespiritual,
4/9/2025 Thought of the day Rhymeheart,joy,smile,
4/9/2025 flame that has no name Rispettospiritual,
4/8/2025 love in love with love Than-Baukage,heart,love,
4/8/2025 Love and light Sonnetforgiveness,joy,light,lov
4/8/2025 Unwavering faith Rhyme Royalfaith,god,love,spiritual,
4/8/2025 Zen mode Quatrainspiritual,
4/8/2025 Thought of the day Rhymeintrospection,
4/8/2025 Piercing the veil Ethereegod,silence,space,spiritu

My Photos


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ps_IMG_0738.jpeg

Fav Poems

PoemTitleFormCategories
Someone Who Used To Be You Blank versedream,lost love,love,
A Change of Heart Sonnetblessing,christian,faith,
Know Yourself Free versegod,introspection,wisdom,
The Sounds of Bliss Sonnetromantic,
Jesus, My Beloved Free versejesus,
Elevating Heart Free verseappreciation,devotion,hea
I See Him Rhymeblessing,faith,god,hope,i
Held By a Thread Versespiritual,
Always Rhymedream,friendship,poetry,v
Where the Wind Blows Quatrainwind,
I Thought I Knew a Thousand Songs Free verseloss,love,
On Rivers of Love Free verselove,river,
Swift, the Rills Rhymeanalogy,appreciation,deat
Mindful Free verseblessing,life,light,
Open Up Free versefaith,hope,love,
Mind Dance Free verseappreciation,beauty,bird,
Belief - 1 Free verseblessing,encouraging,god,
Love Will Heal the World Free verselove,
The Die Is Cast Free versedeath,grief,journey,lost
Just Breathe Free versefaith,hope,inspirational,
Home Sweet Home Free versebeautiful,home,love,
A Reflection of His Love Free verseappreciation,caregiving,
Teasing Kiss Rhymerain,
Death Whispers In the Night Verseautumn,death,grief,hope,l
His Gift Free versefaith,god,inspirational,l
Gentle Harbinger Coupletangel,beauty,bird,blessin
Flowers of the Heart Rhymecare,garden,growth,heart,
Soul Mates Free verseheart,inspirational,love,
Dancing Girls Free verseage,
Holding Back Tears Rhymedeep,imagery,metaphor,
Rush of Summer's Breeze Sonnetlove,summer,
The Homeless Gentleman Rhymecare,
Come Into My House Lord Versechristian,family,
Eye of Horus and the Seat of Me Free verseblue,faith,i am,love,sky,
Oh Dreamy Boy Dizainromance,
With Eternal Sent Bliss Two Hearts Reborn - a Collaboration With Robert Lindley Rhymedesire,husband,longing,lo
Avalanche Shadormaflower,life,light,prayer,
Devoutly Walk In True Grace With the Lord Trioletinspiration,
If I Die Daddy Free versechild,dad,death,
An Excavation Verseintrospection,life,
Always Waiting Free versegrief,
Hope Is the Path Rhymehope,
Nothingness Free versemuse,
Praise of Peace Free verseappreciation,butterfly,fl
All Is Alright Free verseblessing,christian,faith,
Capture My Heart Rhymegod,love,
Hypnotized Rhymeinspiration,love,
Love Rhymeheart,love,
Make Peace With Time Rhymeappreciation,grief,inspir
Healing Power of the Drum Free verseinspirational,native amer
After It Rained Free versebeauty,environment,rain,
Hope Free versehope,
Joy and Kindness Free verseinspiration,
Above the Silence Free verselonging,love,peace,silenc
Whose Muse Elusive Dew Rhymedestiny,life,lost love,mo
I Held Her To My Heart Quatraingranddaughter,grandmother
Conversation With My Soul Versegiving,love,wisdom,
Amazing God Free verseappreciation,blessing,god
Quietude Rhymesilence,
His Guiding Light - 2 Free verseinspirational,jesus,
Hummingbird Walk Free versepoetry,
This Withered Threshold Rhymeautumn,nature,
Aura of Her Magnificence Free verselove,poetry,romantic love
The Supreme Source -POTD Rhymespiritual,
The Dissolving Heart Free versemuse,
Summer Lace Rhymebeauty,day,love,morning,n
Behind His Knowing Eyes Rhymedeath,
Waves Played a Symphony Rhymelight,morning,
Love In Pompeii Free versedeath,kiss,love,together,
A Chorus Sang Its Last Concerto Elegybeach,emotions,
A Marvelous Feeling Free versemusic,
Wave of Fantasy Versedream,fantasy,
Song of Stars Free versebeautiful,heaven,inspirat
The Light and the Veil Sonnetfaith,god,light,
He Shines Free versechristian,faith,inspirati
The Edge of Loneliness Free verseloneliness,sad,
Composed By Our Love Rhymemusic,
Soothing Tomorrows Free verseemotions,love,
The Blue of You Free verselonging,love,
Life Has Been Divine Free verselife,
Enchantment Free verseinspirational,
I Remember Years Ago Potd Free versememory,
Blind Rage Sonnetanger,husband,success,tha
If This Was My Last Poem Free verseromance,romantic love,spi
Effervescence Free verseanimal,appreciation,beaut
Paper Plane Sonnetangst,anxiety,betrayal,em
Flight Free versebeauty,death,flying,freed
Rest, Don't Quit Free verselife,
Neither Silent Nor Still Free versechristian,feelings,god,in
Once Upon a Time Lived I Rhymelife,
Porcelain Doll Rhymeage,allusion,girl,sad,
Writing Is My Prayer Roundelpoetry,writing,
The Boy Stares At You Free versefate,grave,hate,pain,pove
Intertwined Rubaiyatlife,
My Love Rhymedeath,husband,i miss you,
Pirouetting On Cloud Banks Free versedesire,fantasy,introspect
Chalice of Ambrosial Dreams Free versedesire,fantasy,imagery,lo
I Am Part of the Universe Rhymedeath,poetry,space,spirit
Union Rhymebeauty,extended metaphor,
The God I Know Free versefaith,god,hope,inspiratio

Fav Poets

PoetCountry 
Regina Mcintosh United States Flag United States Read
Susan Lawrence United States Flag United States Read
Arturo Michael United States Flag United States Read
Gabrielle Jordan United States Flag United States Read
Winged Warrior Canada Flag Canada Read
Skye Awenborn Sweden Flag Sweden Read
Mike Gentile United States Flag United States Read
Bill Baker United States Flag United States Read
Line Gauthier Canada Flag Canada Read
Lady Labyrinth Australia Flag Australia Read
Susan Ashley United States Flag United States Read
Emile Pinet Canada Flag Canada Read
Betsy Rodriguez Mexico Flag Mexico Read
Silent One United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read
Kathryn Search United States Flag United States Read
Jose Vazquez Mexico Flag Mexico Read
Ink Empress Maldives Flag Maldives Read
Hiya Sharma India Flag India Read
Christina Bowring United Kingdom Flag United Kingdom Read

Book: Radiant Verses: A Journey Through Inspiring Poetry