The Mystical Process in Del templo de su cuerpo, Book of Poems by Rubén Bonifaz Nuño

Abstract

This work proposes an interpretation of the strophic structure of Del templo de su cuerpo (1992), book of poems by Rubén Bonifaz Nuño (Veracruz, México,1923), according to its symbolic relation with the Kabbalah. Kabbalah is “amethod of religious contemplation, a theosophical system based on the sefirot or emanations of divinity which uses certain techniques to interpret the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order to reach the mystical elevation”. However, inDel templo de su cuerpo, the reader will find that Kabbalah is also a processthat leads to knowledge and seeks the “mystical elevation”, with the differencethat what is sublimated is not the soul, but the body. Del templo de su cuerpois a complex system of poetic symbols that presents an example of mystical erotic poetry. This book contains symbols that represent the sacred act: theperfect circle, the embrace of the lovers, and the androgyne. Also, each of thesefirot has an elaborate connection with other symbols: parts of the body, colors,days of the week, planets, natural elements, Star Signs… everything works in a perfect balance, held by the female body. The poetry of Rubén BonifazNuño is a quest for the salvation of the body through love and words, a brief attempt to remain.

Keywords

• Cábala
• símbolos
• poesía mística
• andrógino
• sefirot
• mística erótica