Silence

Prayer is not

scrabbling together

a few paltry words,

flinging them like stones

at the windows

of ineffability.

It is Gelassenheit,

letting go,

being carried on a current

toward a vast ocean,

deep beyond imagining;

sitting silently,

gaze firmly fixed

on one golden,

inscrutable face,

waiting

with the patience of love;

pouring out life,

that alabaster vial

of costly ointment,

at the feet of One

Who washes others

with His tears.

Prayer is

asking nothing,

desiring nothing

but this,

only this.

~~Bonnie Thurston

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Seeing With the Inner Eye

In the body there is a little shrine.

In that shrine there is a lotus.

In that lotus there is a little space.

What is it that lives in that little space?

The whole universe is in that little space,

because the creator,

the source of it all,

is in the heart of each one of us.

~~Parable from the Upanishads

Saint Clare of Assisi

Today is the Feast Day of Saint Clare, the founder of the Second Order of Franciscans. Most people are familiar with her history, so briefly: Chiara Offreduccio ran away from home to join Francis when she was 18. Francis promptly stuck her in Benedictine Monastery, but as soon as possible, she was transferred to San Damiano where she founded the Poor Ladies (or Clares, as they are now called) and lived for the next 40 years. She was later joined  by both her sister, Agnes, and her mother.

Saint Francis was 12 years older than Clare, and until his death in 1226 served as her spiritual guide and mentor. They maintained a very special relationship although they almost never saw each other. Nevertheless, their love for each other carried them each through some particularly hard times, and it is difficult now not to think of one when you think of the other. Clare died in 1253.

Neither Francis nor Clare were exceptionally prolific in their writings, but both left behind much to ponder. Below is one of Clare’s more notable quotes:

Place your mind before the mirror of eternity! Place your soul in the brilliance of glory! And transform your entire being into the image of the Godhead Itself through contemplation.

He Christ is the splendor of eternal glory, the brightness of eternal light, and the mirror without cloud.

Gaze upon Him, consider Him, contemplate Him, as you desire to imitate Him.

I come, O Lord, unto Thy sanctuary to see the life and food of my soul. As I hope in Thee, O Lord, inspire me with that confidence which brings me to Thy holy mountain. Permit me, Divine Jesus, to come closer to Thee, that my whole soul may do homage to the greatness of Thy majesty; that my heart, with its tenderest affections, may acknowledge Thine infinite love; that my memory may dwell on the admirable mysteries here renewed every day, and that the sacrifice of my whole being may accompany Thine.

Totally love Him, Who gave Himself totally for your love.

Principles to Live By

Waterspout in cemetery at Pebble Hill, Thomasville, GA

According to Wayne Dyer:

1. Be willing to change your concept of yourself, which means changing what you have believed to be true.
2. Recognize yourself as always connected to your source of being.
3. Become willing to say, “I am god,” from an egoless perspective.
4. Treasure your greatest gift–your imagination.
5. Live as if what you desire is already here.
6. Assume the feeling of your desire fulfilled.
7. Never let your attention be directed by anything or anyone other than your own highest self.
8. Use the last moments of your day before sleeping to reinforce in your mind your desires as fulfilled.
9. Have a mind that is always open to all possibilities.