Riding the road, today, going to work. As has been a daily practice for about five years, chanting two chants daily. Around the mala and around the mala, 108 beads each one. Sometimes, one first, sometimes, the other first. One, the Shanti chant, in Sanskrit. One, the Great Maha Mantra, in Tibetan. And, as often, adding a hymn - today, "Amazing Grace." Sometimes, spontaneous lyrics and tune.
Today, chanting, again, "Om Mani Peme Hung," a prayer, a blessing, a wish, compassionate. For all to know and enjoy the Light of Grace in the Heart. For all to be free of suffering. For all to be in Love together. Then, after chanting this for these years, and never tears, today, tears, tears, tears. I recall, recently, on different times of this chanting, an odd, unfamiliar, but sweet opening in the center of the chest. I mused, just days ago, "I've never felt that, in my whole life." I had no name for it. I wondered, is this the sign of an opening, after all these years of chanting for peace and compassion for all. I had no answer, needed no answer, just to be true to the aspiration, regardless of what feeling arose, or not.
This opening, unseen Grace, ecstatic fount
pouring forth for all
smiling, seductive summoning, quietly rapturous Heart to Heart One Heart
tears, tears, and more tears each an invite silent from Silence
christening face meandering sweet
glistening in Sunlight dancing in bright shadows caressed by this smiling Night
beauteous blessing for everyone free
by some unseen Lover to love, and free by Love
gentle Kindness now hiding, again, inside the Dark
shy to be sought, so never again to need to seek
* * *
Worship, like life, is really about Love, not about anything else essentially. And the essentially is what we are here to live, give, and receive. Any other so-called essential, no matter how sanctioned by society or religion, by anything or anyone, is simply a poor substitute for what we are here to give ourselves to wholly. To be burned up inside Love by Love, so to be Love, is the deepest cry of the human heart.
♥ ♥ ♥
Grace and Peace to All
The Sacred in Me bows to the Sacred in You
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