Tools Part Two: Praying

Support tools for letting go what no longer serves us AND for learning to serve in Truth:

1) Gathering with a few others to review the scene before any action (just be sure they aren’t enablers)

2) Praying (remember the running out the door prayer-that is enough)

3) Contemplating  (which means watching and listening and hearing)

4) Receiving help (as gracefully as currently possible)

5) Taking a ‘do-over’ and humbly beginning again (as many times as needed)

To Pray is being present in the moment, giving voice, and listening with all of our senses.

Begin with gratitude, no matter how tiny the gratitude may be.  It may be only a gratitude of having the willingness to try and pray.  How we pray and why we pray is a very individual process.  There is no wrong or right way, and if there are‘rules’, there are just two: to begin each time of praying with ‘thank you’ and to ask to be heard (followed by asking).

Praying is an active process. Actually, it is an interactive process involving asking and then listening. We do not need to know with whom or what we are interacting.  Our belief in any form of God or Spirit is not even necessary for prayer to be effective.  Our beliefs do not 

make the receiver of our intercessions more or less able to hear for what we are praying.   

The universe receives our words, even when we dare not speak them out loud, though out loud is better.  Hearing ourselves speak our request out loud seems to make it easier to listen and hear the response coming to us.

Then, we listen with our ears, our eyes, our heart, our voice, even with our senses of taste and smell.  This listening can take a while, but it will come.

If you need a starter way to pray try the ‘running out the door prayer' from the post during the waxing moon for August.

"As I go out the door I notice whatever it is Creation presents to me from nature: a tree, bird, animal, the morning star or the moon. 

I notice and I say: 'Good morning, thank you for listening; thank you for hearing, thanking you for being.  Your being allows my being. I ask (insert a request for a definitive support for your day).' Then I say again.  'Thank you, thank you.  A million, million times thank you.'” 

Then, even if you can not stop long enough to listen at that moment, you will find your senses are listening for answers, as you move through your day.

Self Reflection: How is prayer a part of my life? I remind myself that to Serve Truth is a form of prayer.

One Minute Running Out the Door Alignment Prayer

 I like my rituals to be uninterrupted, so I plan them for early dawn hours. In these days, at the close of summer holidays, schedules are getting back in sync for fall—school, work, whatever.  These schedule changes call for adjustments in my personal routines, as well.

My morning ritual takes some time, and part of the frustration of these end of August days is when the morning changes interrupt MY morning prayer and contemplation routine. 

When this happens, I have a one minute ritual, my ‘running out the door into my day prayer’.  As I go out the door I notice whatever it is Creation presents to me from nature: a tree, bird, animal, the morning star or the moon. 

I notice and I say: “Good morning, Creator, thank you for listening; thank you for hearing, thanking you for being.  Your being allows my being. I ask (insert a request for a definitive support for your day).” Then I say again.  “Thank you, thank you.  A million, million times thank you.”  

When this becomes a committed one minute ritual of every day, life changes for the better.  This prayer sets a template for our day. Try it! 

PS: This prayer is an adaption I learned through the teaching that originated with Twylah Nitsch.

Self Reflection: As I leave my home for the day, I notice whatever it is Creation presents to me from nature and greet the day: “Good morning, Creator, thank you for listening; thank you for hearing, thanking you for being.  Your being allows my being. I ask (insert a request for a definitive support for your day).” Then I say:  “Thank you, thank you.  A million, million times thank you.”  

Waxing Moon's Gift

The rhythm of the Waxing Moon builds energy, preparing for fullness, movement, release.  In the intention to be in service of Truth, our awareness of building to this fullness is a gift. Most people are not aware of these natural rhythms, or if they are aware of these rhythms, they are more likely to experience them as interference rather than support. Our willingness to receive this Divinely orchestrated energy, in the ebb and flow with which it comes to us, will fuel our life in a balanced and regenerative way.  The mere act of asking changes everything.  Ask for direction.  Then LISTEN WITH ALL YOUR SENSES for that direction. Then of course—follow it!

Self Reflection:  Am I aware of my natural rhythms? Do I experience them more as interference or more as support?

Tomorrow:  An alignment prayer for when we are running out the door!

Strengthening and Aligning Our Internal Flame, Final Part (at least for now)

Carolyn writes:  Sara and I both shared about our ‘off day’ experiences.  From my long years of working with others, I know these kind of days happen for everyone.  Out-of-sync days occur regardless of our supposed level of ‘spiritual development’.  We can’t prevent them, and we can’t control when they occur; that’s not the point. When they come, they are an invitation to upgrade our life.  They become the backdrop for the illuminating the experience of being in sync with Divine Direction.

Self Reflection: The feeling of not being ‘good enough’ or not doing things ‘right’ are ways that my internal flame, my being, moves out of alignment with Creator.  My morning ritual-my intentional act of offering my life to Servie, restores my alignment. This practice is pure act of faith.  If I stick with it-it sticks with me. In short order, it will become my felt sense, a known internal feeling.

Strengthening and Aligning Our Internal Flame, Part 4: Discipline as Grace

Carolyn writes:
I'm writing about myself today, in first person, not assuming others experience life as I do. When I am irritable and frustrated by the limitations I see in myself,  my personal world, or other people's actions, I find my intentions and my integrity can fall to the way-side.  To continue with the metaphor of the 'wick in the lamp' (see Part 1), it is as if my wick is separated from the fuel source, or has become so fouled it can no longer maintain a flame.   

There are also times when  I am so angry or upset that I consciously shut off any experience of Grace and Divine support. I 'yank my wick out of my lamp'! And, I usually shut out human support as well, which, in my metaphor, is the 'fouled-up-wick' part.

Yet, tbecause I have a commitment to daily contemplation, even when I am pissed off, through the grace of this daily practice, I sit my bottom down on my prayer cushion. I make an attempt to name some things I am grateful for. Sometimes, I can only say I am grateful for the gift of discipline to sit when I don't want to. Sometimes I'm not even able to do that. I set my timer for five minutes, and I sit. This commitment to sit, even when I don't want to, is a movement toward alignment. It is a profound, disciplined act of loving myself.

Self Reflection: Where am I disciplined in loving myself?  Where would I like more discipline? 

Strengthening and Aligning Our Internal Flame Part 1

By internal flame, is meant one's life force, which is the energy which we bring into the world with us when we are born.  Over time, our life experiences can be like a storm battering away at the flame of a lamp.  While we cannot control the metaphoric winds and storms that threaten our flame, we can strengthen the wick of the lamp which is our life.

Our intention for living our life and our commitment to live with integrity (Truth as best as we currently understand) weave together and become like a wick, drawing up energy from Creator's unlimited source. This energy, ignited by Grace, is an ever-flowing gift of love available to all of us. 

We receive this Grace through two actions: First, through a daily practice of expressing specific and sincere gratitude (thanksgiving) and second, by asking Source (by whatever name we have for Source) for help in living our life and are consciously willing to receive help.  In other words, we establish a morning practice of gratitude prayer and contemplative petition.

Self Reflection: I align MY internal flame with the Eternal Flame of Love.

Closing Moon Prayer for Loving Truth

Sara's prayere for the Closing Moon of Love Truth
B E
C O M E
L O V E
B E C O M E
BECOME LOVE

May I walk in the Grace of Now. May I walk in the Grace of Being.  Loving What Is, exactly as it is. In expectancy of whatever will be, but never in anticipation.

May I let go of the future and the past, of controlling either.  Just as I have no control over what already Is.
For then, I will have Peace

Self Reflection:  I feel how I walk in the grace of the moment. I am aware of how I love what is. It helps me stay in expectation and not anticipation.

The Full Moon arrives. Just in Time!

Creator of all that is, we need this full moon of Love Truth to shine her brightest!

The people of the earth are suffering from the illusions put forth by our shadows.

We need Truth to be illuminated to her fullest.

We need to see the truth beyond the shadows of small stories, media slant, and stubborn prejudices.

We need the light of the full moon, whose nature it is to expose distortion and invite clarity, to bring us clear vision, truthful knowing, and words coming through Truth’s Love.

Welcome full moon! You have arrived in the nick of time!

Self Reflection: I open my heart to let in the full moon of Love Truth to fill and illuminate my heart!

Prayer of Gratitude for Being Listened To and Heard

I first heard this prayer from Lee Nitsch, the daughter-in -law of Twylah Nitsch the Seneca Elder who brought the wisdom of the Truth Cycles out into the world. This is the way I pray it as part of my morning prayer and contemplation practice.  I have attached a recording of the prayer as well: Morning Gratitude Prayer

  

I say good morning Creator; thank you for being. Thank you listening. Thank you for hearing me.  A million, million times thank you.  Your being allows my being and I am grateful.

I say good morning Mother Earth; thank you for being. Thank You for listening.  Thank you for hearing me. A million, million times thank you.  Your being allows my being and I am grateful.

I say good morning to the East; thank you for being. Thank You for listening.  Thank you for hearing me. A million, million times thank you.  Your being allows my being and I am grateful

.

I say good morning to the South; thank you for being. Thank You for listening.  Thank you for hearing me. A million, million times thank you.  Your being allows my being and I am grateful.

I say good morning to the West; thank you for being. Thank You for listening.  Thank you for hearing me. A million, million times thank you.  Your being allows my being and I am grateful.

I say good morning to the North; thank you for being. Thank You for listening.  Thank you for hearing me. A million, million times thank you.  Your being allows my being and I am grateful.

I say good morning to all my relations, (the standing people, the two legged and four legged relatives, the winged and finned ones, the creeping crawling creatures, the rock and mineral people and all the elementals, and the celestial beings) thank you for being. Thank You for listening.  Thank you for hearing me. A million, million times thank you.  Your being allows my being and I am grateful.

I say good morning to my own being; thank you for being. Thank You for listening.  Thank you for hearing me. A million, million times thank you.  Your being allows my being and I am grateful.**

**A colleague of mine uses this prayer and adding gratitude to the ancestors for hearing and listening as well.  Thank You, Vicki for sharing your wisdom.

Self Reflection:  Praying the Morning Gratitude Prayer

Prayer to Hear Truth.

Creator of All That Is; let me hear the vastness of your truth that I may step out of my own small self-sheltering world and into my true life.  Let me hear the truth of Divine Guidance rather than the voices fear and ego have contrived as my reality.  Help me become a listener for wisdom and guidance and the much bigger life that awaits when I embrace Truth in all her forms.

Self Relfection: What is my prayer to hear truth?

Prayer for the Courage to Know My Real Self

I ask to be willing to continue my journey to know and accept who I am.

To accept who I am in the core of my being, as the person I am created to be, my Real and True Self.

Keep me solid in my sense of excitement and possibility for what I discover

as I stay in willingness to know myself better.

Keep the illusions of images and roles, mistakes and humiliation at bay.

Remind me these illusions can overpower my ability to sense what it Truth.

Steady me as I begin to feel the hope and freedom of truthful knowing 

that comes with accepting this new awareness of myself.

Keep me in the place of hope and possibility as I ask:
"What if I really could be...?"

"What if I really could do...?"

"What if I really am...?"

Keep me in present time, the only time there is, where I embrace possibility as reality.

Self Reflection: I ask to be willing to know and accept the Truth who I am.

Teaching Prayer

Teach me gently, Great Spirit
Help me to be open to whispers,
     gentle guidance
         and soft focus
Open my heart,
Illuminate my mind

Let me not put up such barriers to knowing
     That my lessons need be hard
           or loud
                or big
Make me a page upon which to be written with golden ink
And not a stone tablet writ with chisels

Self Reflection: Am I willing to be taught gently, to be open to the soft whispers which I hear when my heart is open?

Discernment Prayer

Great Spirit;
Help me to see clearly the truth of what is
Let the chaff of my ego blow away
Lift the mists of self-delusion from my eyes

Give me strength to walk without defenses
To speak rightly, or hold my tongue
Let me not tread another's road
     nor be diverted by another from my own

May I act rightly, ruled by Divine Law
     humbly accepting my role as student
May all teaching come from you without interference

I cannot fail, because I seek Truth

Self Reflection:  Great Spirit, with your aid, I see clearly the truth of what is. I have strength to walk without defensiveness. I speak rightly, or hold my tongue. I act rightly.

Petition to Honor Truth

Honor the sacred.

Honor the Earth, our Mother.

Honor the Elders.

Honor all with whom we share the Earth:

Four-leggeds, two-leggeds, winged ones,

Swimmers, crawlers, plant and rock people.

Walk in balance and beauty.

- unidentified Native American Elder-

Self-Reflection:  Where is it easy for me to honor, where is it difficult?

Prayer for Learning Truth

O Great Spirit

help me always 
speak the truth quietly,

to listen with an open mind 

when others speak

and 
to remember the peace 
that may be found in silence.

-Cherokee Prayer-

Self Reflection:  O Great Spirit, help me always to speak the Truth quietly, to listen with an open mind when others speak, and ti remember the peace that may be found in silence.  

Serving the Child, Serving the Future

Karin, a founding member of our original Moon Cycle Circle and guest blogger, starts off the exploration of the role of 'will' (and true service) on the path to Live Truth.  She shares her personal reflections:

During last month's focus on Serving Truth, I was startled by the assertion that I needed to serve myself. (This flies in the face of my Christian indoctrination.)  It took so much pressure off me to serve, serve, and serve some more until I was spent. Working with Kinders these past two weeks--and I mean, young Kinders--with their joyful and willful expression, has reminded me to be aware of and care for my own inner child.  I intuit that I need to cultivate and give witness to an intermingling of service to them and to service to myself. Therein lies the evolution and healing of Planet and Self--one and the same!

It takes daily contemplation and review of my intentions in order to Serve God/The Good.  My intentions encompass guiding the little ones in learning how to 1) distinguish needs from wants; 2) balance their needs and immediate wants with those of their peers; 3) to assert when they have not been heard, yet also practice strategies of patience and grit when faced with challenges.  Basically, to stre-e-etch both their brains AND their hearts when peers trespass their boundaries and they don't receive immediate gratification--tall orders for any of us, let alone Kinders!

August's focus on Service and September's focus on Awareness of Tomorrow's Dreams in its range of manifestations epitomizes my journey through the cycles.  The image of a giggling-then sleepy-then generous babe Wata-jis in the cradle board (from Jamie Sams story of Setting Sun Woman) captures the essence of a Kinder kid!  This morning I looked at our class pictures and could distinctly envision them as high schoolers!  I need to be aware that their future selves will carry the foundational circuitry and emotions from their Kinder selves!

What exactly is my role?  It's imperative that I pray morning, evening, throughout the day (!) for the words and patience to love them just as they are developmentally (as my young Karin needed and did not always receive). Also important is to give them choice and a measure of responsibility in making those choices.  Tell them in word and deed that I trust them.  Model that I, too, make mistakes, but that we can and will become skillful emotionally and cognitively.  This is a process, an entire life's journey. My co-teacher and I are learning that patience and respect (with respectful consequences for obstinacy!) during this journey are the hardest to practice and model.  But the fruits of our labor are so worth it.

A Prayer for the Feast of Life

Creator,

Guide me through my day; help me

 Live fully,
Laugh deeply,

Love heartily,

Manifest abundantly,

Receive unconditionally,

Heal profoundly.

(feel free to add your own...)