Wisdom Thinkers’ Founder and President Emeritus, Ralph Singh, is an author, educator, storyteller, and community builder who draws on wisdom stories from diverse cultures to foster shared values, character, and inclusion. Through his writing, he explores spirituality, peace, and the art of civil conversation. Learn more about Ralph here.
Following is a sampling of his many works.
Does the Butterfly Remember?
by Ralph Singh
Does the Butterfly remember?
Is it conscious of the time –
Time spent as a caterpillar?
Does it know the cycle – or just spin itself into the future
Remembering the past – finding the milkweed to lay its eggs
Does the caterpillar look forward?
Crawling, eating, growing, extending itself – anchored with its hind legs (at least enough of them to grip)
As it arcs its body one way then the other looking for the next toehold to reach out
Until one day that toe becomes fixed to a twig and it wraps itself around itself until it vanishes
And oh, that we could vanish –
But unlike the caterpillar, we are so caught up in our selves,
we don’t realize that letting go is the name of the game
How much time does it take us to let go
Go deep inside to experience our metamorphosis
When does it happen?
When like a snake we slough off our old skin and emerge anew
We who are conscious –
Always hold on to the remnants of our selves –
Unable to break free of our past –
Or unwilling to let the cords of our identity – at least who we think we are
Slip away – as we grow out of them –
Or maybe unwilling to cut off the past – lest we forget who we are
On our way to the future
Today is a Very Good Day
by Ralph Singh
Today is a very good day. Your wishes and aspirations will come true and the path ahead becomes clear.
Nina said, “Ask Babaji what He wants.”
Well, today He’ll tell you.
Don’t be afraid of the answers or to follow.
Everything you have written down are my directives.
But time is getting short.
We’ll make sure the history is straight.
Baba Siri Chand presence,
you felt things settle today –
The swirling cloud begins to settle the longer you focus.
Don’t stir up the pond,
can you step in without stirring up the mud?
A thought doesn’t have to disturb you.
Just because a “disturbing” thought enters let it pass – burn it away.
As all the clutter settles,
burn them away.
Just sit tight in the Light of Nam and watch the “sky” clear.
Be free – think freely – let thoughts flow – don’t block the emotion.
Still Breeze or Torrent
by Ralph Singh
Such is our mind.
Stilling the mind in the midst of the storm.
Wrapping your arms around,
holding tight your coat.
Bracing against the lashing of the storm.
The knives of karma slicing through.
All the while God stays within undisturbed.
Nam vibrating.
Buried in Snow
by Ralph Singh
Buried under layers of snow.
Too heavy to clear.
Start at the top.
With each Jaap Sahib we clear one.
It’s hard going but such is the neglected practice of mind control.
Only the love of God singing the Eternal praise of the One.
Clearing each layer,
each shovel full.
Until we reach the ice,
Scraping with Nam,
generating light and heat to melt the remaining layers.
The ice mats powered by Nam.
If you lose your connection,
the ice will build back up,
and you’ll find your going slippery.