An Invitation
Poetry by Kaveri Patel
An Interview, Up Close and Personal
It our pleasure to announce that one of our gifted columnists, Kaveri Patel, has just released her first book of poetry: An Invitation. And what an invitation it is, one that I'm certain each us hopes we can accept with as much passion and determination as Kaveri has.
This soulful work contains 51 poems that take us on a remarkable journey " in" as we reconnect with our True Nature. Kaveri shows us the way—with courage and grace—how we too can passionately plunge into our own vasts depths to re-discover who we really are, as well as who we are meant to be.
Affectionately dubbed "Mermaid" by some of her friends (and suitably so), Kaveri leads by example, sharing her journey of diving and resurfacing; healing old wounds, cultivating loving-kindness and self-compassion and, ultimately, embracing the Sacred Feminine, a healing, unifying force like no other.
We hope you enjoy this interview with Kaveri. May it inspire you to embrace your own wisdom found in the waves of life ...
An Interview with Kaveri Patel
First of all Jan, thank you so much for the invitation to share my book on Buddha Chick Life. I respect the writing and music of so many BCL contributors and feel honored to share this sacred space with you all.
1. What led you to the writing of your book, An Invitation?
I attended a women's writing retreat where I came across a book of poems by Mary Oliver. Something about the book called to me so I bought it. A few weeks later, I watched a movie called "Listen to Your Heart" and realized life is too short to wait for the 'right' time to publish a book. I began to visualize the cover art work and layout and intuitively knew I needed to give birth to my own book of poems.
2. How long have you been writing poetry?
I wrote my first poem about apartheid in the eighth grade in response to Alan Paton's Cry, The Beloved Country. I've been writing off and on ever since. My first poems were mostly romantic in nature, seeking that so-called other half of my missing soul that would complete me. Through postpartum depression, suffering, and a series of awakenings, I began to realize that my house of trust had to be built on a foundation fashioned from my own faith.
3. How has writing in this way impacted/changed your life?
Through mindfulness and compassion practice, I've learned to connect with a loving presence who has been there all my life. She's been the spiritual shaman retrieving all unwanted parts of my fractured soul that I banished from consciousness. Writing helps me to pause and remember her. I can stay present with the mud of messy thoughts and emotions without getting stuck in them. Releasing them into the wide open space of a kind and caring heart, I identify with something larger than my small self. I become her, Infinite Love.
4. What do you perceive is the relationship between writing and spiritual growth? And healing?
As women, we often look to the external world, our partners, our children, our family, friends, and coworkers for validation and acceptance. After reading Peggy Tabor Millin's book Women, Writing and Soul-Making: Creativity and the Sacred Feminine, I began to trust my own body and intuition to write and discover my own truths with Mother Nature as divine witness. When we pause to listen deeply with kindness and curiosity, our Sacred Feminine intuition will always guide us to true healing- a place we can safely call home.
5. What do you hope the reader will gain from reading your book?
My sincere wish is for all women, all beings who read these poems to catch a glimpse of their True Nature and savor the sweetness of their own being. I know that's a tall order. I ask readers to look beyond the waves, all the stories of small self, beyond the labels given to us by parents, teachers, spiritual teachers, and others to the ocean's bottom for the pearl of wisdom they seek. Only by diving into the depths of our own being with patience, courage, and faith as our guides can we find the love we always sought elsewhere.
6. Do you have a favorite poem in the book?
Wow, that's a tough question! I'm not sure I have a favorite poem, but some of my favorites include: "Mornings", "Planting a Poem", "Leap of Faith", "Boddhisattvina", "I'm in Love" and "Thank You."
An Invitation can be purchased by contacting Kaveri directly:
aninvitationpoetry@gmail.com
Return to Home Page
First of all Jan, thank you so much for the invitation to share my book on Buddha Chick Life. I respect the writing and music of so many BCL contributors and feel honored to share this sacred space with you all.
1. What led you to the writing of your book, An Invitation?
I attended a women's writing retreat where I came across a book of poems by Mary Oliver. Something about the book called to me so I bought it. A few weeks later, I watched a movie called "Listen to Your Heart" and realized life is too short to wait for the 'right' time to publish a book. I began to visualize the cover art work and layout and intuitively knew I needed to give birth to my own book of poems.
2. How long have you been writing poetry?
I wrote my first poem about apartheid in the eighth grade in response to Alan Paton's Cry, The Beloved Country. I've been writing off and on ever since. My first poems were mostly romantic in nature, seeking that so-called other half of my missing soul that would complete me. Through postpartum depression, suffering, and a series of awakenings, I began to realize that my house of trust had to be built on a foundation fashioned from my own faith.
3. How has writing in this way impacted/changed your life?
Through mindfulness and compassion practice, I've learned to connect with a loving presence who has been there all my life. She's been the spiritual shaman retrieving all unwanted parts of my fractured soul that I banished from consciousness. Writing helps me to pause and remember her. I can stay present with the mud of messy thoughts and emotions without getting stuck in them. Releasing them into the wide open space of a kind and caring heart, I identify with something larger than my small self. I become her, Infinite Love.
4. What do you perceive is the relationship between writing and spiritual growth? And healing?
As women, we often look to the external world, our partners, our children, our family, friends, and coworkers for validation and acceptance. After reading Peggy Tabor Millin's book Women, Writing and Soul-Making: Creativity and the Sacred Feminine, I began to trust my own body and intuition to write and discover my own truths with Mother Nature as divine witness. When we pause to listen deeply with kindness and curiosity, our Sacred Feminine intuition will always guide us to true healing- a place we can safely call home.
5. What do you hope the reader will gain from reading your book?
My sincere wish is for all women, all beings who read these poems to catch a glimpse of their True Nature and savor the sweetness of their own being. I know that's a tall order. I ask readers to look beyond the waves, all the stories of small self, beyond the labels given to us by parents, teachers, spiritual teachers, and others to the ocean's bottom for the pearl of wisdom they seek. Only by diving into the depths of our own being with patience, courage, and faith as our guides can we find the love we always sought elsewhere.
6. Do you have a favorite poem in the book?
Wow, that's a tough question! I'm not sure I have a favorite poem, but some of my favorites include: "Mornings", "Planting a Poem", "Leap of Faith", "Boddhisattvina", "I'm in Love" and "Thank You."
An Invitation can be purchased by contacting Kaveri directly:
aninvitationpoetry@gmail.com
Return to Home Page
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