So did we say a prayer today ?

For who ? For ourselves. Did we do something, some ritual that affirmed our faith today ? In what ? In ourselves. Our ability to connect with our inner selves. For if we do not, who is this person that is working, loving, talking etc. It’s certainly not you.


It’s an everyday search for me. For that something that can put me in touch with myself. My connection to consciousness. My connection to loving nature.
Of course many people have faith. Which is a wonderful ability. I don’t have blind faith. I am more of a searcher. Questioner. Good, bad ? I don’t know. No value judgements on any faith or the question of faith. Or on myself.
Some people do it with meditation first thing in the morning. I have never been able to do that. I have to connect to something, however small, however little, to loose my sense of individuality. That’s the daily struggle. Against my own exaggarated sense of myself. I am so used to it. I have relied on it for so many years. So tough to let go now. Not that I have never questioned it before. But now, it is really important for me to be truly ‘active’ rather than ‘reactive’, which is what I have done most of my life. And how do I know what that ‘true’ action is ? Unless I am constantly in touch with something larger, more immense, more universal than myself ?
Yes I know. By letting go. By allowing yourself not to be addicted to the result of your action. By allowing chaos to invade your life. Yes, I agree. All of that. I do allow chaos to prevade in my life. I am impeteous (spelling). But then the individual in me fights back hard.
It’s an everyday battle. This battle to let go of one’s addiction to one’s sense of individuality.
Yet, the smallest of things can provoke the sensing of my flowing into something much much larger. Something infinite.
This morning it was my 5 year old daughter waking me up with a loud ‘Peekaboo’ and the tinkling of an early morning laugh.
Sometimes it;s just getting up early enough to watch the first shades of dark blue brush across the sky. Something deeply stirring about that.
Sometimes it’s unexpected gestures of affection that were not sought. Or given so instinctually that you were not aware of them.
Sometimes, it’s writing a poem. But only if the words are coming from somewhere else. As if something is flowing through you, a river of emotion you can physically feel that flows through your being.
But it is always so unexpected. So much that I am constantly aware now. My senses hightened. Waiting for that unexpected moment.
When something deeper will reach out and engulf me, and give my life, and all my actions, however small, a deeper and all encompassing context. On a daily basis.
So say a prayer for me. And for yourself.
Shekhar

2,087 thoughts on “So did we say a prayer today ?

  1. Peace Means Everything To Me
    Peace means taking care of the mountain
    Sharing the food
    It means not being jealous
    of someone else having something
    Peace means no fighting
    Sharing everything
    Being kind
    Peace means being quiet
    and
    listening to God
    Peace is harmony.
    ~~~
    created by 5 and 6 year olds, Montessori Kindergarten students.
    May they continue to live in their joyful purity.

  2. prayers for my brother, Ren, may he find peace and contentment within himself, may his present condition be restored to good health. Namaste

  3. …for the Peace Climbers of “Everest Peace Project”, safety and good health.

  4. …thank you, for this gathering we had today. It was an extraordianry meeting of the families and friends…that we came together on the 16th month after our father’s passing.
    om shanti shanti shanti

  5. To the family and friends of this young man, Derek 34, who went home on Friday and went to sleep from not feeling well…not to awaken again.
    Om shanti shanti shanti

  6. To the family and friends of the police officer, John, who was murdered while off duty in Windsor Ontario…may they all find comfort and healing peace.

  7. Solstice
    Tonight…with dawn kept
    farther.
    Our pleasures lengthen in
    return.
    Ask for what you
    wish for.
    Eric P.McCarty

  8. Dear Friends,
    Here’s sharing with you the update for our Peace Climbers…
    “World History – Palestinian and Israelis – Together, on Everest Summit Push, Now!
    May 14, 2006
    Today, May 14th, The Everest Peace Project team has left advanced base camp (21,000 feet) to begin its history-making summit push. The summit team consists of: Ali Bushnaq, David (Dudu) Yifrah, Micha Yaniv, Selebelo Selamolela, Tonya Riggs, Jamie McGuinness and Brad Clement. Gautam Patil will leave tomorrow and Lance Trumbull is staying back as advanced base camp manager who will manage all communication with the team and the outside world.
    Never before has there been such a diverse Everest team consisting of people from different faiths and cultures – especially including Palestinian and Israeli men; our intention is to promote peace and teamwork and to “unite the world on top of the world”.
    Tonight our peace climbers will stay at the North Col 7000 meters (23,000 feet). Tomorrow, there will be a rest day and they will again acclimatize and stay at the North Col. On May 16th, they will go to Camp two 7600 meters (25,000 feet); on May 17th they will be at camp three 8300 meters (27,000 feet). May 18th will hopefully be our summit day (depending on the weather).
    We will have more updates on our peace climber’s progress.
    More soon…
    Lance”
    ~~~
    May they all find that which they seek.
    Blessing be to thee,
    Cinda

  9. And, please let me know the exact time you read this. It is mystical–
    This morning when the Lord opened a window to Heaven, He saw me, and He asked: “My child, what is your greatest wish for today?”
    I responded: “Lord please; take care of the person who is reading this message, their family and their special friends. They deserve it and I love them very much.”
    The love of God is like the ocean, you can see its beginnings but Not its end.
    This message works on the day you receive it. To some it may sound dumb, but the person who sent this to me was impressed with its timing. Let us see if it is true.
    ANGELS EXIST, but sometimes, since they don’t all have wings we call them FRIENDS, SUCH AS YOU. Pass this on to your true friends. SOMETHING GOOD WILL HAPPEN TO YOU TODAY AT 11:11 IN THE EVENING. SOMETHING THAT YOU HAVE BEEN WAITING TO HEAR.
    THIS IS NOT A JOKE; SOMEONE WILL CALL YOU BY PHONE OR WILL SPEAK TO YOU ABOUT SOMETHING THAT YOU WERE WAITING TO HEAR. DO NOT BREAK THIS CHAIN. SEND IT TO A MINIMUM OF 4 PEOPLE.
    ~~~
    Dear Shekhar,
    I received this in the email…thought I would share it here also, in particular of the time and who we may send it to.
    Something good does happen to us in moments that sometimes go unnoticed?
    May we be…just be

  10. Climbers Safely at Camp Three – 8300 meters (27,000 feet) – SUMMIT ATTEMPT TONIGHT!!!
    May 17th, 2006
    8300m
    Hi Everyone,
    Our Peace Climbers are now safely at camp three. All climbers arrived by 5pm Nepal time. Right now everyone is boiling water to put in their Nalgene bottles so they can drink on the way up to the summit and on the way down to camp two (staying hydrated is critical). Each climber should have two – 1 liter bottles in which they will put inside their down suit so they do not freeze. Our Peace Climbers are also in the process of making themselves a light meal (although probably no one has an appetite) and hopefully getting three or four hours of sleep before they leave for the summit.
    The summit push should begin by 11pm – with everyone on their way by midnight.
    If all goes well and the weather is good and the winds are light – our team could start summiting Mt. Everest by 8am Nepal time on May 18th. After they summit, the climbers will return to camp 2 – spending the night there and then the following day return back to ABC, where I will give them a heroes welcome!
    I will be sleeping in our communications tent tonight standing by the radio all night – following our Peace Climbers progress and providing any moral support via the radio if needed.
    Please send our Peace Climbers your good thoughts and prayers as they attempt to summit the tallest mountain in the world.
    I will update the website as soon as I hear news from them.
    Climbers who are on the summit attempt:
    Dudu Yifrah
    Micha Yaniv
    Jamie McGuinness
    Tonya Riggs
    Brad Clement
    Selebelo Selamolela
    Namgyal Sherpa
    Da Yula Sherpa
    Dawa Gelje Sherpa
    Lakpa Sherpa
    Sange Sherpa
    In peace,
    Lance Trumbull

  11. Remember Me
    And as we part in temporary
    ways.
    Remember me only with
    your senses.
    Taste me near with parted lips and
    breathe my scent across your
    borders.
    I will come to you.
    Spread your fingers to the night and I will
    sweep your hand as distance.
    Hear my voice in silent notes
    captured by the breeze.
    And I will sing you closer.
    Hold me with your sight as I fall
    against the daybreak.
    I will bring to you the new morning.
    Remember me…in the depth of
    all your senses.
    I will come to you.
    Eric P. McCarty

  12. for Sirpa, a prayer for finding peace and embracing that which is needed for her well being.
    om shanti shanti shanti

  13. To Michael and the team of loving caring individuals working as a team to help the children of Malawi, Africa.
    May their journey carry them with healing and peace…and safety for all involved.
    http://www.raisingmalawi.org

  14. …for Richard and Pinky and their sons, peace~contentment~comfort and a sense of belonging.

  15. …for Sally, may her soul soar with the angels.
    To all her family and friends who are in saddness and despair, may they find peace and comfort at theis difficult time.

  16. …for Vicky and Victor’s families, peace and finding resolve to their ongoing problems.

  17. Ode to the Sphere
    The spaces I fill … senses are drawn to
    On the field of openess
    whirling through the air
    whispers upon shadows
    swiftly reaching to a place of rest
    there in the distance
    roars of joy
    spin out to insanity
    intense cheers of elation
    all for…
    the space in which I fill

  18. …for Kinara, may she feel the joy and bliss of this unique exsistance within the walls put before her, may she be comforted in peace and harmony for all her days to come.

  19. In seeking Wisdom, the first stage is silence, the second listening, the third rememberance, the fourth practicing, the fifth teaching.
    -Kabbalist Solomon Gabirol, c. 1045
    ~~~
    May we find that which already lies within.

  20. Dear friends,
    We are sending this reminder that today, July 6th, is His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s Birthday which auspiciously
    coincide with the Institute’s monthly Guru Puja/Vajrayogini Tsok Offering.
    We will be conducting Guru Puja/Vajrayogini Tsok Offering first at 6 PM instead of our usual time so we can
    start His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s birthday celebration at 7:30 PM.
    We hope you will be able to join us on this special day to wish His Holiness the Dalai Lama a very happy birthday
    and pray for his long-life and good health.
    Tashi delek,
    Drepung Loseling Institute
    http://www.drepung.org
    770-938-9709

  21. There is no eye equal to Knowledge.
    There is no reward equal to Knowledge.
    There is no sorrow equal to attachment.
    There is no happiness equal to Renunciation.
    From The Mahabharata

  22. …for Anjalee and her father to have a safe and peaceful trip.
    …for Anjalee to return safely to Toronto(flying on her own for the first time).
    om shanti

  23. Sri Swamiji’s speech London 02/07/2006
    12:10pm at Teddington School, London
    Guru purnima is the time to offer prayer TO Sadguru for truth, bliss and consciousness.
    Some know guru purnima as Buddha purnima and Vyas purnima . Why do we celebrate Guru purnima? It is for the enlightenment of self (Aatma Gyana).
    From birth we have many gurus at each stage of life.
    Mother as guru
    Father as guru
    teacher as guru
    Career guru
    Spiritual guru
    ~~~
    peace to Guru Purnima

  24. three elephants have fallen in the past week, observed by my sight. what is to come…may it be embraced with peace and centeredness
    om shanti shanti shanti hari ommmmmmmmmmmm

  25. Sending loving healing prayers to the Ones in India who are experiencing pain and suffering from this tragic bombing and other events.
    …may it be embraced with peace and centeredness…om shanti shanti shanti hari ommmm

  26. This is human body. You should live in the present and give respect to the surroundings. That is the final statement of Bhagavad Gita.
    ~Sri Sri Sri Ganapathi Sachchidananda Swamiji

  27. If we want to simplify and deepen our lives, we must simplify and deepen our minds. When we become more centered, clear, spacious, caring, and open, there is suddenly much more room in our frenetic lives for both others and ourselves.
    —Lama Surya Das
    May we be inspired to move in such waters and sounds

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