Body Prayer Exercise (1/16/15)

First some words of deep wisdom from Albert Schweitzer:

“At times our own light goes out and is rekindled by a spark from another person.
Each of us has cause to think with deep gratitude of those who have lighted the flame within us.”

Here is a simple body prayer exercise that you can do to connect with all the folks in the balcony of your life. Lying down on the floor on your back, or sitting up in a chair, gently close your eyes and pay attention to your breath.

Do this slowly. As Marv Hiles says: “Slowly is like holy”.

As you breath in, bring to mind a person who has birthed, formed and informed, touched your life and is a part of the fabric of your life. Allow an image to come and as you exhale slowly silently say: “Thank You”. And continue moving through your life, allowing yourself to remember folks who blessed your being, and always end with: “Thank You”.

You may be astounded as your memory brings to consciousness folks you had long forgotten who live in the balcony of your life forever.

You were blessed by their being.

Close your eyes and prayerfully, with deep gratitude, remember all those people, places, institutions that have been the “wind beneath your wings.”

“As long as you’re breathing, it’s never too late to do some good.”
-Maya Angelou

With you in awakening to who God is in us and to who we are in God.

We are all sparks of the Divine flame
Blessed Be
Compassionate Be
Boldly Be

The Rose (1/12/15)

This morning, I want to share a special song suggested by one of you.

First, I invite you to sit in silence for a few moments, taking a few long, slow, deep, cleansing breaths.

Recollect yourself. Calm your mind. Open your heart. Awaken to the light within you.

Dear Lord and Father of Mankind,
forgive our foolish ways;
reclothe us in our rightful mind,
in purer lives thy service find,
in deeper reverence, praise.
Breathe through the heats of our desire
thy coolness and they balm;
let sense be dumb, let flesh retire;
speak through the earthquake, wind, and fire,
O still, small voice of calm!
-Taken from a hymn written by John Greenleaf Whitter (1872)

Let us in stillness hold our hearts open to God – the Living God who is with us and with all creation. A good friend from my old days at John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Annandale, VA, wrote recently of his deep appreciation for “The Rose.” To me, it seems this music is appropriate for both the weather we are experiencing (no matter where you are) and even more for some of the deep moral questions we are confronting in our day and time.

I remember years ago asking the Minister of Music to put this song into the service and how well it was received! This music goes deep within. Our hearts are hungry as they cry out for a direct experience of the love that will not let us go.

Please allow the music and the message to pour into you – opening inner spaces. Let us love one another affirming the worth and dignity of every person.

Let your love flow, let your light shine.

We are all sparks of the Divine flame
Blessed Be
Compassionate Be
Boldly Be