2 weeks away from the end of the Artist’s Way. There is no going back now! Expect a new gumption upon my return from this journey into my Artist’s world. Powerful stuff.

This week finds me in Washington D.C. for Medicine Forward’s first physician retreat. Being so close to America’s center of power, made me think about where the center of my own power lies.

Another thing that has tickled my imagination this week is how serene the Fall colors are on the East Coast.

As someone who lived his life between Cairo and San Francisco, the natural shedding of these leaves also leaves me thinking:

Such a beautiful act of surrender and letting go. So natural, so effortless, so teaching.

Speaking of which, today’s poem is from a mystical poet who I had not heard of until recently.

I am very grateful for the new friends in my life who have been bringing in a tsunami of poetry along with them. New shoutouts next week.

If there are other poets I should hear about, please share in the comments or by replying to this email!

Introducing : Kabir fucking Das

Kabir Das was a 15th-century Indian mystic poet and saint. His writings influenced Hinduism's Bhakti movement, and his verses are found in Sikhism's scripture Guru Granth Sahib, the Satguru Granth Sahib of Saint Garib Das, and Kabir Sagar.

I leave you with a very powerful ‘Brother , I have seen some’. It is a sort of a mystical puzzle more than poem. Good luck.

Sunday Gratitude 🙏

Today I send more gratitude towards Eve Shapiro who is one of the biggest sources of nourishment for my inner artist. I’ve had the great pleasure of having lunch with her in D.C. and she led me to where my Artist date ended up being this week (see below).

I feel so witnessed by her who has had a full career in writing and publishing.

Thank you Eve, your friendship and creative nourishment is critical for me at this juncture!

If you are a new creative out there, who is feeding your muses? Find them.

The Artist's Way - Week 10/12

Morning Pages ☑️

I had an interesting moment of serene clarity that hit me like an ice cold shower in the middle of a journaling session this week. It just poured out of me on the third page.

The truth. Right there. Staring me in the eye. Morning pages are a truth sharpener. That is what they are.

Ugh. So annoying.

I have clarity over what I need to do with this blog, more on that after week 12 is done.

Artist's Date ☑️

Found myself lost for hours in Kramer’s- a DC bookstore in Dupont Circle that my friend Eve recommended.

After our lunch, I hung out for an hour watching the new published books and the colorful covers.

I closed my eyes and wondered where my book will be, what it will look like, and how it will feel to sign that first one.

Successful date.

Baby Omar the Artist was very pleased with me. I did get a parking ticket though because I totally lost track of time.

That manifestation session cost me $50, but hey - what are big dreams worth?

Craft Updates ☑️

• I finally recorded Episode 20 of the Gumpcast with my bro, mentor, and supporter Dr. Gautam Gulati, creator of the Superhumans storytelling podcast. Season 2 is going to be so good (for both Gumpcast and Superhumans) !

• Sending out the manuscript to a few publishers this week. *Gulp* wish me luck. I do have innovative ideas about how I want to publish this first one due to the personal nature of the topic. However, I’ll knock on some doors first to get a flavor of the industry and grow some Artist balls.

Enough about me….Here is Kabir with your Sunday mystic riddle.

Brother, I've Seen Some by Kabir

Brother, I've seen some Astonishing sights:
A lion keeping watch Over pasturing cows;
A mother delivered After her son was;
A guru prostrated Before his disciple;
Fish spawning On treetops;
A cat carrying away A dog;
A gunny-sack
Driving a bullock-cart;
A buffalo going out to graze, Sitting on a horse;
A tree with its branches in the earth, Its roots in the sky;
A tree with flowering roots.
This verse, says Kabir,
Is your key to the universe.
If you can figure it out. 

Kabir

These mystic poets were definitely onto something, or at the very least had much more fun (and mushrooms) in their lives than the rest of us.

One day I will have the confidence to refer to myself in the third person in my own poem! Ya Kabir ya Kabir.

✌️+ ❤️

Omar

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