ARRIVING IS ARRIVED

Ode #40 - Transcribed Poetic Dictation, Contriving//Contrived Ode

[I think this one will be familiar to you all. But apparently it must bear repeating.

The practice described in this ode is one that has remained true to me in every era of my adult life. In order to achieve any desired goal, I have had to slow down and take deliberate, consistent, measured steps toward it. Every time, the pace and process has felt insufficient, too slow, deeply unsatisfying. I have always wanted faster gratification. Several times these past few days I have been asked to explain how I got to the place I’ve arrived at, specifically in regards to my creative output and body of work. The truth is, when I started Little Cosmic Missives back on May 1st, 2023, I set out with a goal that felt wholly insufficient and underwhelming to me at the time — sharing one piece of writing, dream, or vision description a week. When undertaking something of great importance, there is great excitement and enthusiasm. When beginning anything online, you are bound to encounter the troublesome messaging of “post daily to build a presence/following”. So, once a week felt back then like I wasn’t taking the endeavor seriously enough. Nevertheless, some sense of inner grace believed back then that this project was a long-winded one, and should not set a pace at the outset which could not be maintained over many months, maybe years. If you’re really serious about doing something, the perennial advice is — do less than you think is necessary, and keep doing it. Does publishing one piece a week mean I can’t publish two in a particularly ecstatic week? No — I have shared two pieces some weeks. Even three. Have I published at least one piece every week? Also no; some periods have seen no shared Missives or Ode for two, three, even four+ weeks. Did I feel horrible the first times those breaks happened? Yes, of course. Do I feel horrible now? No — mostly curious. I keep the practice in my field of focus and patiently trust that a piece will come through to be shared when it is time. Why the wait? I cannot know for sure, but each time it has felt meaningful. Every trial has always been followed by a revelation and a restoration. Lately, the pace for Odes from Avalonia seems more like one every 10 days or so, or about three times a month. I am open to any rhythm, so long as it remains sustainable. What is important always remains. And leads to the place where I am now: according to my website tracking, the combined Missives & Odes have been read around 75,000 times, and in over 70 countries. I have, since beginning, published around 125 works (depending on how you count them), created three book-length collections (one self-published in a run of 25 hand-ornamented copies), given many readings at public and private events, presented talks and research on the tradition of mystic poetry, and now it seems I’m headed to HDS to continue my research, progressing further into the storied role of scholar~practitioner. Publishing these works used to feel terrifying. Recording my voice and sharing recitations was an arduous and dreadful process. Now each step of it is easeful, smooth, and efficient. How amazing!

This 40th Ode arrived, amusingly, during my latest ~insufficient~ undertaking — strength-training at our local gym. I have attempted gym routines many times in the past, but each time I burnt out and regressed, losing all my progress. This time, I have set the wholly insufficient goal of going twice a week, for ~30 minutes of strength training followed by ~12 minutes of arc trainer//elliptical. Over the past 5 weeks of doing it (last week I was only able to go once, which is okay), I have increased my lb resistance on each machine (I’m mostly using five: an abdominal machine, a lateral pull-down, a leg curl, chest press, and lateral arm raise) by 10-15lbs, have strengthened my heart and lungs, and feel more capable in all my daily activities — all without over-exerting to the point of exhaustion. Each of the stanzas was transcribed between sets at the gym today, and arrived in such a way. What a wonderful wit there must be behind all this~ ] Received 9/21/2026 | 3:14-3:41pm

Companion Missive #40 - ILLUMINATION IS INCINERATION (4/2/2024) — another great pairing, following the same naming pattern, addressing rapidity and rush. The humor at hand~!

Listen to the Recitation:

ARRIVING IS ARRIVED
Slow & steady is, paradoxically 
The fastest way there; is slow
Actually slow? Or 
Has any mystic ever said rushing 
Is the sustainable road
To there, where ever we go

Do what feels insufficient 
Actually, it should feel insufficient
That's the key that lets us know
We're on our way

We'll never get there at this pace
We are going too fast
We must slow down
Or else return to where we started

Heart rate at 80% 
Decrease to 70%
Go a bit further 

Feeling dizzy? 
Decrease the pace
Soften the impact on your joints

Strengthen your muscles for slowness
It won't happen overnight 

And next thing you know it,
We're there, looking back
In awe

---

A rare photo, of me

And here’s another ~ : ) — courtesy of Calvin