I've been considering my prayers at night, wondering about where they stand on the right speech spectrum. I usually begin with all other sentient beings, though lately I've been first praying for my brother. Then I move on to family, then the dogs, and finally myself. That way if I fall asleep before the end, I've only left out my wishes. I've noticed that over the years I pray less for myself, and more for others. That seems like a good thing. And health and well being come first, because without our health it's difficult to appreciate the other gifts of life.
I'm clearly making up my own rules and following my own instinctive guidelines, but it's comforting to reach out to the rest of the world at night and hope for everyone's peaceful, untroubled sleep.
Before I pray, I write in my gratitude journal, which subtly adjusts my impression of my day. I find the moments that are in danger of being obscured if I didn't have the journal to focus me. Making lemon jest is a joyous moment, easily forgotten, and happily remembered in my contemplation. The heavenly smell! The sharp, lucid flavor in the soup or salad! I could write an ode to a lemon, and it would be a love poem.
Right speech is right focus. Speak of the simple treasures of daily living. Acknowledge the billions of people around the world getting ready for sleep or waking up in the morning. Note that we are all equally precious, and take the time to breathe in all our of breaths, breathing in and out together.
No comments:
Post a Comment