Rumi says: “What you seek is seeking you”.
Recently I have been opening to the possibility that it is actually true. That what I am longing for was always seeking me and I started opening my eyes to the evidence. Why would a desire be planted in my heart if not by Creation, in order to fulfil itself?
I’d like to reflect on what has been exiled from our freethinking world, being associated with religion and disempowerment: prayer. I’d like to take it out of that context and re-vision it as our intimate way of conversing with Life and our birthright.
In recent times I have been reawakened to and humbled by the power of prayer. For me prayer implies taking seriously the possibility that we are a part of a bigger reality, that cares for and carries us. It takes us beyond our personal striving because we admit: I don’t know how to do it but “You” do, connecting us to the Creative Principle of All Possibility.
We are ultimately praying to that which we ourselves have come from and are sustained by, to a part of ourselves. It’s important to find a way of addressing that Source in the way that feels resonant and true to us. Sometimes it helps to personify It as a deity, an ancestor or an aspect of the natural world. Whoever we address, they are delighted to be spoken to. We are the voice, arms and legs of the Invisible and it wants to co-create with us and through us.
Prayer is an active engagement, involving commitment and meeting the Universe half-way. If we speak our wish to receive something into our lives, we had better step up when the opportunity arises and be up for the consequences.
What to pray for can be a big question. If you don’t know, pray for clarity.
Asking for help with inner attitudes and patterns brings us close to ourselves. It often takes daring to go for the material and then it’s great to be specific. The more specific we get, the more we can feel what we pray for making its way to us. To strengthen and complete the cycle, it’s important to acknowledge the prayers answered.
The questions of deserving and selfishness may arise, when so many strive to meet their basic needs. It can be edgy to open to the possibility of receiving when others “don’t have”. It is radical to see that becoming a contented individual makes the world a better place. It feels daring but do ask for what your heart longs for and see where it takes you. The truth is that the more resourced we are, the more we naturally want to offer our energy in service in ways that are realistic and true to our soul’s calling.
When we feel overwhelmed by shocking news from all corners of the globe, to pray for those places with conviction and fire, like warriors, is to take our power as change-makers seriously.
As the act of prayer is deeply personal and intimate, there are as many ways to pray, as there are people. Make it as elaborate or simple as your heart calls for.
There is a wise saying: “It’s not that happy people give thanks but those who give thanks are happy people”, so that’s a good place to start.
If you feel moved to, give something back - your energy in song or dance, chocolate, incense, tobacco, your menstrual blood; be creative. It is wonderful to take yourself to nature; be by water, fire or a special tree. Open your senses, connect to Earth and Sky, feel into your heart and what you are longing for. Let it arise as it does, as words or image. Speak it. Breathe it in and trust it. Receive it into your body. Give thanks for being heard and consider the prayer released.
Be a co-creator. Pray for your Life!
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