The Well — A Spiritual Poem About the Ego and Awakening

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In the endless depths of every mind,
there is a well.

Black water over-pouring,
ripples upon ripples
to nowhere.

I reached for a bucket,
but only drowned.

Thus, was I reborn,
my essence revealed.

Those who love their minds
only drown in emptiness,
yet those who love the Beloved
gently glide on the water’s surface.

No stone or metal
is heavier
than the ego.

Godspeed
to those who swim
under its weight.

~ Najim Mostamand

The “well” is a symbol of our ego (or illusionary self) that we yearn to drink from. Unfortunately, this well has nothing but black and poisoned water. Photo by Frans van Heerden

This poem is perhaps the most descriptive and imaginative I’ve ever been when trying to describe the ego (i.e., our illusionary self).

I talk a lot about the ego, because it’s the one and only obstacle preventing us from realizing our true essence, and thus awakening with this newfound realization.