Do you/How do you make time to feel your Self as part of the natural world? Right now, if you can, take off your shoes and stand barefoot on Mother Earth (or on a natural surface – wood or marble perhaps looking out of a window) and feel yourself connected.
Take time to envision and experience yourself as part of all that surrounds you.
early morning pausable moments
that first long sweet inhale
that invites peace
and ease into my awakening day
as I give thanks for the gift of these
precious hours stretching out before me
such a simple ritual
followed by another
longtime affirmative practice
of filling my cupped hands
wrapped around my blessing bowl
with pure water while saying aloud
“With gratitude, gusto, grit and grace
I am open to receive
all that flows my way today”
and then a third sacred rite
to set my Self right in the world
as I step outside and stand
barefoot on Mother Earth
drawing her energy up and in
to the whole of me
and offer a full body prayer
and commitment to presence—
“Await. Allow. Accept. Attend and befriend.”
followed by a final prayerful Tonglen*
offering for all beings—
”May I/you/we/all that lives be at peace.
May our hearts be open.
May we know the beauty of our own
and each other’s true nature.
May we be healthy, happy, hopeful.
May we live in harmony with all that is
and just what’s so.
And may we be a loving source
and resource for one another
all the days of our lives…and beyond.”
And now, having greeted the morning
with gratefulness
I settle in and attend to the miraculous
gift of this day.
“Tonglen is Tibetan for ‘giving and taking’ and refers to a meditation practice found in Tibetan Buddhism. Tong means ‘giving or sending”‘ and len means ‘receiving or taking.’ –Wikipedia
*For those who are suffering in some way, Tonglen is a practice used to send out prayerful thoughts for safety, comfort, and wellbeing. On the in-breath, hold a wishful thought to alleviate suffering and, on the out-breath, offer/send energy from your heart-mind to support the ease, peace, and happiness to those same people, animals, nations, and all that is.
from the heart, mind and pen of Minx
Thank you Dennis Pitocco for posting this. These are my sacred practices or, as my dear friend and colleague Deborah Roth, M.A., PCC calls them, “my daily meds.” They allow me to begin my day gracefully and set the tone for whatever flows my way. My hope is that readers will be inspired to continue or elevate their own restorative practices, perhaps incorporating some of mine.
Dear Minx,
I am sitting here in my garden and when reading your words, your poem, I am enlivened by the trees, the gentle breeze and tranquility.
Your words sent me on an imaginary journey to nearby countryside where I smile gently at the glory and gift of Mother Nature. It is so easy to take our natural world for granted and your words, your poem made my evermore grateful for WM what we can take for granted. Every morning at about 6am and walk in my garden absorbing its gentility and peace. Thank you Minx for creating such thoughts in my heart and mind. Thank you my friend.