Last night, I read a poem by Mary Oliver in the book, Truro Bear and Other Adventures, I got to the section where she writes about her beloved dog, Percy, and had a hearty laugh. Percy was named after an Italian poet, and as such was also wise in his ways.
Take for instance, when he consumed the Bhagavad Gita.
Percy (One)
Our new dog, named for the beloved poet,
Ate a book which unfortunately we had
Left unguarded.
Fortunately it was the Bhagavad Gita,
Of which many copies are available.
Every day now, as Percy grows
Into the beauty of his life, we touch
His wild, curly head and say,
“Oh wisest of little dogs.”
Mary Oliver, Truro Bear and Other Adventures
Percy is indeed a wise soul, for she he seems to have an innate knowledge in the true things that matter in life. He has many friends, enjoys a romp by the seaside, polishes off good food, and is ever ready to provide companionship to his human friends. Show them a thing or two about living.
I have several friends who dedicate a good amount of their time and energy to the study of the Bhagavad Gita.
One in particular also possesses the rare quality of sharing and explaining his learnings without the mantle of self-righteousness. (I call it a rare quality, since religion and spirituality are different things, and few souls have the wisdom to unify them in the pursuit of knowledge and humility. )
I am not sure whether all those who have immersed themselves in the wise learnings of the Bhagavad Gita have truly digested its many layered teachings (definitely not in the way that Percy did!). But a few of them I know would’ve enjoyed the following poem also in the book after several pages:
Percy & Books (Eight)
Percy does not like it when I read a book.
He puts his face over the top of it and moans.
He rolls his eyes, sometimes he sneezed.
The sun is up, he says and wind is down,
The tide is out and the neighbor’s dogs are playing.
But Percy I say. Ideas! The elegance of language!
The insights, the funniness, the beautiful stories
That rise and fall and turn into strength, or courage.
Books? Says Percy. I ate one once, and it was enough.
Let’s go.
Mary Oliver, Truro Bear and Other Adventures
Percy! Oh wise soul!
Nourish-n-Cherish 