Many voices ask for our attention. There is a voice that
says, "Prove that you are a good person." Another voice says, "You'd
better be ashamed of yourself." There also is a voice that says, "Nobody
really cares about you," and one that says, "Be sure to become
successful, popular, and powerful." But underneath all these often very
noisy voices is a still, small voice that says, "You are my Beloved, my
favor rests on you." That's the voice we need most of all to hear. To
hear that voice, however, requires special effort; it requires solitude,
silence, and a strong determination to listen.
That's what prayer is. It is listening to the voice that calls us "my Beloved."
The truest prayer begins when we pass beyond word into deep silence, when lips are hushed;
when racing thoughts are stilled; when emotions are placid
as the dawning over the waveless ocean.
~Albert E Day
This quote reminds me that God/Divine Love dwells in the silence of our heart and in the quiet sanctuary of Nature. A contemplative quietude is perhaps the best way to start a brand new morn. The phrase "dawning over the waveless ocean", I learnt just now, is captured in a hymn called "Still, Still With Thee".
"Still, still with Thee, when purple morning breaketh,
When the bird waketh, and the shadows flee;
Fairer than morning, lovelier than daylight,
Dawns the sweet consciousness, I am with Thee.
Alone with Thee, amid the mystic shadows,
The solemn hush of nature newly born;
Alone with Thee in breathless adoration,
In the calm dew and freshness of the morn.
As in the dawning o’er the waveless ocean
The image of the morning star doth rest,
So in the stillness Thou beholdest only
Thine image in the waters of my breast."
I also learnt that Albert E Day is the author of a book called "The Captivating Presence." In a way, he reminds me of Brother Lawrence (author of "The Practice of the Presence of God"), who also practised the presence of God in his daily life.
"The highest expression of Universal Mind otherwise known as God is Peace. (Peace in this context is the same as Love.) We are not referring to the ego's version of Peace which is nothing more than the opposite of conflict, but the Peace that surpasseth understanding." James F Twyman
Yes, peace as the highest expression of Universal Mind is much more than an absence of conflict or chaos as it goes deeper than the world's (or ego's, according to the quote) notion of peace. I think the peace that passes all understanding is available to every person regardless of their belief system or religion. For example, peace may be attained through meditation for followers of Buddhism, or through prayer for followers of Christianity and Catholicism, or through yoga for yoga practitioners, and so on. And yes, peace is equivalent to love because both stem from the same source of Universal Mind.
"Observing silence, and breathing deeply and gently is the easiest way to open the heart. You can also open it through sacred dancing and movements which incorporate the breath and encourage gratitude and presence in the moment. The method you use to fall into the heart is just a tool. Do not make it important. What is important is that you find a way to access the deeper aspect of your being which is at peace." (From "The Silence of the Heart: Reflections of the Christ Mind" by Paul Ferrini)
Lord,
protect our doubts, because Doubt is a way of praying. It is Doubt that
makes us grow because it forces us to look fearlessly at the many
answers that exist to one question.And in order for this to be
possible...
Lord, protect our decisions, because Decisions
is a way of praying. Give us the courage, after our doubts, to be able
to choose between one road and another. May our YES always be a YES, and
our NO always be a NO. Once we have chosen our road, may we never look
back nor allow our soul to be eaten away by remorse. And in order for
this to be possible...
Lord, protect our actions, because Action is a way of praying. May our
daily bread be the result of the very best that we carry within us. May
we, through work and Action, share a little of the love we receive. And
in order for this to be possible.
Lord, protect our
dreams, because to Dream is a way of praying. Make sure that, regardless
of our age or our circumstances, we are capable of keeping alight in
our heart the sacred flame of hope and perserverance. And in order for
this to be possible...
Lord, protect our enthusiasm,
because Enthusiasm is a way of praying. It is what binds us to the
Heaven and to Earth, to grown-ups, and to children; it is what tells us
that our desires are important and deserve our best efforts. It is
Enthusiasm that reaffirms to us that everything is possible, as long as
we are totally committed to what we are doing.And in order for this to
be possible...
Lord, protect our us, because Life is the
only way we have of making manifest Your miracle. May the earth continue
to transform seeds into wheat, may we continue to transmute wheat into
bread. And this is only possible if we have Love; therefore, do not
leave us in solitude. Always give us Your company, and the company of
men and women who have doubts, who act and dream and feel enthusiasm,
and who live each day as if it were totally dedicated to Your glory.
Amen
Paulo Coelho
Paulo Coelho is a novelist who wrote the novel "The Alchemist". I have come to see
that doubts and dreams are two things that organised religion and
society tend to frown upon, yet these two are vital for honest and deep
living, and it's good of him to include these ingredients as part of
prayer. And yes I believe the Divine is always with us and one with us
at all times.
"A
man of peace is not a pacifist; a man of peace is simply a pool of
silence. He pulsates a new kind of energy into the world, he sings a new
song. He lives in a totally new way, his very way of life is that of
grace, that of prayer, that of compassion. Whomsoever he touches, he
creates more loving energy. The man of peace is creative." - OSHO
I agree with the power and purpose of a man (or woman) of peace in
being creative and sending positive energy of grace and compassion. As a
saying goes, "Still water runs deep." A man or woman of peace is
usually one who spends time meditating and contemplating, and in the
process is able to process information and come to a better
understanding of how things are - "Be still and know I am". We are
love, we are grace, we are the infinite. Peace gives us the stability to
withstand any storm from the outside. We also see our own reflection
(of our true godly nature) the clearest on still, tranquil water.
The Prayer To Our Father
(in the original Aramaic)
Abwûn
"Oh Thou, from whom the breath of life comes,
d'bwaschmâja
who fills all realms of sound, light and vibration. Nethkâdasch schmach
May Your light be experienced in my utmost holiest.
Têtê malkuthach.
Your Heavenly Domain approaches.
Nehwê tzevjânach aikâna d'bwaschmâja af b'arha.
Let Your will come true - in the universe (all that vibrates)
just as on earth (that is material and dense).
Hawvlân lachma d'sûnkanân jaomâna.
Give us wisdom (understanding, assistance) for our daily need,
Waschboklân chaubên wachtahên aikâna
daf chnân schwoken l'chaijabên.
detach the fetters of faults that bind us, (karma)
like we let go the guilt of others.
Wela tachlân l'nesjuna
Let us not be lost in superficial things (materialism, common temptations),
ela patzân min bischa.
but let us be freed from that what keeps us off from our true purpose.
Metol dilachie malkutha wahaila wateschbuchta l'ahlâm almîn.
From You comes the all-working will, the lively strength to act,
the song that beautifies all and renews itself from age to age.
Amên.
Sealed in trust, faith and truth.
(I confirm with my entire being.)
I find Jesus' prayer to our Father in heaven who is the source of breath of life in the original Aramaic beautiful. It may sound new age to some, but hey, Jesus is our original new age teacher who tells us about our oneness with Him and with one another. We and Him are the light of the world, bearing His image of love, overcoming the darkness of ignorance with the knowledge of God's unconditional love and our true identity.
