The Hound of Heaven
A sad, lonely and oft starving figure, Francis Thompson was the educated son of a doctor in late 1800’s England. His haunting, soul aching poem, “The Hound of Heaven”, touches the core of every tender heart that ever yearned for the embrace of their maker. And so today he again rips away our thin illusions that the things and conditions we endlessly chase after will ever give us the lasting joy and contentment we all seek. His famous poem opens with the Divine, poetically and picturesquely represented by the hound, chasing after man.
It begins:
“I fled Him, down the nights and down the days;
I fled Him, down the arches of the years;
I fled Him, down the labyrinthine ways
Of my own mind; and in the mist of tears I hid from Him,...”
Have we not all felt that desperate sense of separation from something that can give us lasting happiness from time to time? I think you’d easily agree that this or something akin to it lingers in every heart.
I believe what our innate feelings and Thompson’s sublime poetry are both saying to us is to look more deeply and critically into our lives and their purposes.
So let’s begin by looking at those who seem to have what we want to see if we can learn something from them. Well, the rich and famous have a spotty record at best; and is that what you really want? Maybe for you it is, I don’t know. But that’s obviously not a clear road to happiness. What about the religious people you know? Are they happy? I know I’m getting into a delicate zone here, but come along for a moment and I think we’ll find some common ground together.
And here’s how I clean that up. I see a vast difference between religiosity and spirituality. A person living an exemplary life of caring for and serving others, and acknowledging and seeking attunement with a higher power is my definition of a spiritual person. Whereas in contrast, a person following all the doctrines and dogmas of a particular religion or philosophy may or may not be what I would define as a spiritual person. And history itself bears this out, because in every religion from east to west there have been both butchers and saints. So would you agree with me that it’s not at all about the name over the door, but rather it’s 100% about what you carry in your heart?
OK, Now let’s look at the personal element in our search for happiness. “There are no two grains of sand anywhere on the world’s beaches that are exactly the same.” You’ve heard that, right? Well, how about souls? Do you think there is another person out there somewhere in the universe that is exactly like you? The greatest seers say no there isn’t.
You are unique unto eternity. So from this we see in the search for the ultimate verities that not only are there generic laws that apply to all, but that there is a personal element that can make this journey far more meaningful, joyous, rewarding and fulfilling. And what is being asked of us in this age is to build an inner personal relationship with our maker that is uniquely our own. For no one will ever sing the song of life like you will.
And it’s interesting to note here too, that history records the Divine appearing in countless different forms in response to the soul yearnings of spiritual seekers from around the world and across the centuries. Which is a clear hint to you and me of how to proceed. And that is, be yourself!
So as you begin to look within yourself toward That which has created you, you will discover a relationship as unique as every star, and not only unique, but like our poet friend, Francis, find a response that’s made to satisfy your heart alone.
And as Francis Thompson closes his poem he affirms the intimacy that awaits each of us with the indwelling Spirit speaking to the soul, saying:
“All which I took from thee I did but take,
Not for thy harms.
But just that thou might'st seek it in My arms.
All which thy child's mistake
Fancies as lost, I have stored for thee at home;
Rise, clasp My hand, and come!"
I’m John Johnston. See you next time, here, On The Cosmic Porch!
