We are currently living in times that have been called unprecedented, uncertain, difficult and ripe with opportunity. What can we do to engage with these trying times, rather than deny or withdraw or disconnect? What assumptions are confronting us that we can look at and possibly change if change is needed?
The times are calling us to access our spiritual resources, including emotional, physical, mental, etc. and consider what tools and relationships we have to buffer against harm (e.g. stress) that may be caused to ourselves or others. Pir Zia teaches us that when we suffer from illness we can attend to what is needed by getting in touch with patience, slowing down, ceasing to take for granted, watching the breath, breathing to be held by God, and becoming close to those who are dearest to us. We hold these truths in our heart-minds and bodies as we hope for transformation on a global scale. The following are healing words and prayers from an interspiritual collection of the Sufi Healing Order. You may want to memorize some parts of these, read them multiple times aloud or silently, and/or hold them in your hearts and minds. (language may be altered to reflect modern thought and practice) Short One Line Sufi Prayers (located in the Mysticism of Sound) Help me to serve your cause. Oh Spirit of Guidance, throw your Divine Light on my path. Open my heart, that your spirit I may reflect. My life is changing and taking a better turn. My mind is still, my thought is steady, my sight is keen, my life is balanced. Harmonize my soul, God, with all people and with all conditions. My body is healed, my mind is fortified, and my soul is illuminated by the grace of God. Hindu Prayer Lead us from darkness to light Lead us from sickness to health Lead us from death to immortality Om, Peace, Peace, Peace. Buddhist Prayer- Brahma Viharas With the thought of LOVE let me contemplate the world and may this LOVE extend to its four horizons. And then with the thought of LOVE increasing beyond measure, let me encompass the whole universe Up to its confines. With the thought of COMPASSION let me contemplate the world and may this COMPASSION extend to its four horizons. And then with the thought of COMPASSION increasing beyond measure, let me encompass the whole universe Up to its confines. With the thought of JOY let me contemplate the world and may this JOY extend to its four horizons. And then with the thought of JOY increasing beyond measure, let me encompass the whole universe Up to its confines. With the thought of PEACE let me contemplate the world and may this PEACE extend to its four horizons. And then with the thought of PEACE increasing beyond measure, let me encompass the whole universe Up to its confines. Amen. Jewish Prayer/Affirmation -Shema Sh’ma Yisrael Listen and hear Adonai Eloheinu The Divine is God Adonai Ehad The Divine is One Amen Prayer of St. Francis of Assisi God, make me an instrument of your peace: Where there is hatred, let me sow love; Where there is injury, pardon; Where there is doubt, faith; Where there is despair, hope; Where there is darkness, light; Where there is sadness, joy. O divine Creator, grant that I may not so much seek To be consoled as to console, To be understood as to understand, To be loved as to love. For it is in giving that we receive, It is in pardoning that we are pardoned, it is in dying that we are born to eternal life. Amen. The Hopi Elders Speak By Oraibi, Arizona Hopi Nation You have been telling the people that this is the eleventh hour. Now you must go back and tell the people that this is the hour. And there are things to be considered: Where are you living? What are you doing? What are your relationships? Are you in right relation? Where is your water? Know your garden. It is time to speak your truth. Create your community. Be good to each other. Rachel Naiomi Remen, MD The purpose of life is to grow in wisdom and to learn to love better. If life serves theses purposes, then health serves these purposes. And illness serves them as well, because illness is part of life. ~ Jeanette Banashak, PhD, EdD In light of the Coronavirus health warnings, we have all become more aware of the importance of hand washing. Rabbi Lizzi Heydemann from Mishkan Chicago, one of SGTI's partners in interfaith learning, shared a beautiful Jewish blessing with her congregation about hand washing. We thought it was lovely and so timely, of course. With this prayer, we can reorient even the most mundane and repetitive task toward the sacred. We can bring what might cause duress to spiritual practice. Imagine yourself washing your hands and viewing this as prayerfulness, or as an opportunity to take a deep breath and receive a beautiful blessing. https://www.ritualwell.org/ritual/blessing-washing-hands-during-pandemic?fbclid=IwAR02zucjQ22Y4vhl4nJxqw7K3Ht5I3duKsTvY4y7ybFd-Dxi6fz60HiFoI8&mc_cid=68cae03973&mc_eid=67f093db45 We send blessings of good health to everyone! May inner calm and clarity be yours. |
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