The Hopi Indians of Arizona believe that our daily rituals and prayers literally keep this world spinning on its axis. For me, feeding the seagulls is one of those everyday prayers.
— Brenda Peterson
Let this thought sink into your consciousness as a belief. Right now. Take a deep breath and believe that our practice of prayer and ritual keeps the world spinning. I’ve read this quote before, but I read it from the safe distance created by the intellect. I simply didn’t allow it to deconstruct my view of science and physics. I didn’t allow it to transform my ordinary day into a day of reflection. I certainly didn’t allow it to shine a light on how often I fail to practice prayer or ignore all the opportunities to create healing rituals.
If our prayers and rituals are pushing this world round and round, then we have a deep responsibility to examine the habits and routines of our daily lives. There are no disclaimers or excuses attached to this belief. The survival of our planet and those cohabitating with us depend on our ability to see the depth of the consequences of our actions and inactions.
Deep within us, when we are quiet and beyond the stresses of our days, we feel the interconnected nature of life. The gift of rain after a long dry spell, the call of birds, buzzing of bees and quiet growth of trees. If we want this planet to survive for those who will walk its pathways after us, then we must set our intentions. What do your everyday prayers look like? It’s totally up to you. It could be feeding the seagulls.
~Lisa Kiel
What a beautiful reminder to pay attention to our intentions in all matters, especially in caring for mother Earth! I love a native American quote I have read that says the land does not belong to us, but we are preserving it for our children and all future generations. I will try to focus my intensions on that at all times.
“I’ve read this quote before, but I read it from the safe distance created by the intellect. I simply didn’t allow it to deconstruct my view of science and physics. I didn’t allow it to transform my ordinary day into a day of reflection.”
Oh, Lisa, this speaks so directly to the process of deepening reflection I am moving into myself–and out of which will come my reflection for this Sunday, on Earth Day, when we talk about “listening to the earth”! I may quote you!! (I’ll check more directly first–right now, I’m letting all my teachers, guides, instincts, and inspirations swirl and gather until I’m really ready to create sentences and paragraphs for Sunday!)
Gratefully,
Rev. Nancy
It’s that enigmatic language of wildlife, flora, and the natural forces of Earth that call us to attention. But I don’t think we are equipped by our senses alone to become cognizant of the surrounding power. Prayer is good for the soul but it is passive and poetic. The powers that Be , now, in our face, filling up our senses, becoming intellectualized to buffer the fear, these are forces that go well beyond sensory input. We either become more collective and think in terms of socialized survival or we withdraw into a tribe.
I asked my 7 year old grandson to name 3 forces of nature that are unseen. He said ” Magnetism, Wind , and Hate” .