Mysticism Through Poetry

A poet is someone
who can pour light into a cup,
then raise it to nourish
your beautiful, parched
holy mouth.
~ Hafez

During this 2-hour class, oshan anand will share poetry from Zen, Taoist, Sufi, Sikh, Hindu, Tantric, Islamic, Christian, and indigenous traditions, with biographical, historical, philosophical, and mystical context.

Come early (6:30pm)
and stay after (until 10pm)
for free Gongfu Tea service.

Why Mystical Poetry?

Mysticism is the direct experience of our divine nature through ecstatic practice. A defining quality of mystical experience is its ineffability—it transcends language. Yet, it is exactly this impossible alchemical task which mystical poetry seeks to achieve - to lead us to a mystical experience, through symbolism, layering of meaning, density, transgression, alchemy, and magic.

Mystical experiences can dissolve the ego, expand perception, nurture peace, and wake us up to our interconnectedness, leading to enhanced well-being, health, creativity, compassion, and a deeper sense of meaning and purpose.

 

oshan anand

oshan anand has been writing and reading poetry since childhood, and has been a lifelong student of diverse mystical traditions.

From 2009-2012 oshan hosted Open Heart Poetry, a weekly poetry night at his San Francisco teahouse, Om Shan Tea.

Later, while serving a 7½ year prison sentence for psychedelics, oshan designed this course on mystical poetry, which he taught to over 100 inmates.

oshan is a professional tea ceremonialist, interior designer, digital designer, performance poet, DJ, and producer of Bay Area events: World Folk Jam, Folktronika, Midwinter Magic, BeHereTao and Heartform.

(Poetry class in Federal Prison)

Join the Open Heart Poetry Facebook Group if you'd like to hear about mystical poetry events.