breath

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the state of the world

Someone asked me, “Aren’t you worried about the state of the world?”
I allowed myself to breathe and then I said,
“What is most important is not to allow your anxiety about what happens in the world to fill your heart.
If your heart is filled with anxiety, you will get sick, and you will not be able to help.”
Yes, there is tremendous suffering all over the world, but knowing this need not paralyze us.
If we practice mindful breathing, mindful walking, mindful sitting, and working in mindfulness,
we can try our best to help.

 

Quote: Thich Nhat Hanh
Photo: Arashiyama, Kyoto (Pinterest)

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The quiet of early morning 

Breathe deep and take in these quiet moments – the time just before the first bird sings.

The spirit is near but we are often unaware. Even as her offer to encourage and inspire stands ready, we manage to proudly claim this inspiration as something of our own creation.

May you begin this Sabbath with a still and focused breath.

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What is left? Prayer…

So this is how you swim inward. So this is how you flow outwards. So this is how you pray.
Mary Oliver

On this quite night we come to the most important moments of our Advent journey. We feel the time for slumber with all projects complete and hearts and homes prepared. We were asked to be on alert and to get ready. We have watched for the signs and completed the tasks

But all the preparation leads us to this moment. For like midwives we must stand near, ready for the ultimate job. In/home/wpcom/public_html/wp-content/blogs.dir/751/11099331/files/2014/12/img_1937.jpg prayerful presence as this young baby is born we are here at highest alert – to assist if needed. This is why we have been waiting. This is the moment, all of our preparation leads to ‘now’.

May we stay calm – to draw our breath as it swims inward and exhale as it flows outward; the rhythm of birth and the practice of prayer.