The Journey of Self-Realization through Bioregionalism in the Poetry of Mary Oliver

Abstract

The study explores self-realisation as a spiritual and religious concept in Mary Oliver's poetry
(1935-2019). Oliver is an American poetess, well recognized and award-winning. Her poetry is
characterized by the elements of nature, spirituality, and transcendence. The present study is an
attempt to uncover the mystical and spiritual veils of Oliver’s poetry that lead to self-realization.
Self-realization is a spiritual, mystic and religious concept that is present as a tradition in nearly
all the religions in the world. The study traces several stations and stages of it, such as the
awakening of the self, purification of the self, and the self's illumination. Moreover, the study
also explores the higher stations of the sufi journey that are love and Oneness of Being. She is
not only a mystic but also a nature poet. Hence, the study makes use of nature as a backdrop in
her poetry and its role in the journey to self-realization. The theoretical framework for this study
is taken from the philosophy and mysticism of Ibn-e-Arabi (1165 – 1240). He is one of the most
renowned sufis. He is also an Andalusian Muslim scholar, mystic, poet, and philosopher,
extremely influential within Islamic thought. The study interprets Oliver's selected poetry in the
light of Ibn-e-Arabi’s spiritual ideas; self-realization, love, and the Oneness of Being.