March 5, 2014

The day before Lent, I suddenly got the notion that I wanted to follow the Liturgy of the Hours during Lent. I wanted to do something special and have always admired the way Moslems pray throughout the day. I know that Catholic monks and nuns who live in monasteries also pray at certain times during the day. I had to email my youngest son to ask what those times were. He sent me a list of hours and their Latin names: Prime-6am, Terce-9am, Sext-12 noon, None-3pm, Vespers-6pm, and Compline-9pm. There is also a Matins-midnight and Lauds-3am which I don’t intend to follow because I hope to be asleep. I am not going to do the proscribed prayers, but will say an Our Father and Hail Mary. And a few times during the prayers I will send out my spirit to give encouragement to another person. This would take only a few minutes 5 times a day. surly I can accomplish something so simple?

So far, as I edit this for the web, I admit that I am having a really hard time of it and don’t know if I will be able to keep it up until Easter. My biggest problem is remembering to pray at the right time. I put signs around the house and at work to remind me. If I manage to keep it up, it will be good for me and those who I manage to visit even if they don’t know I am there because Jesus and the angels will know and help. As Jesus said, we all need prayer. He approved of my effort, now I just hope I can keep on going.

At my first attempt to send my spirit to someone, I met one young man who was riding the bus. He was really angry and I tried to calm him down. I feel that I got through to him. I kept telling him to “let it go” that his problem isn’t that important. Young people get angry easily and can’t always control their emotions. One single act of anger can cause a life long problem. I remember how easy it was to get jealous or feel hurt when I was young. Now I can look at such quick emotions as silly. Silly, sure, but look at how many young boys or men are in jail today because of one act of silly anger? So if my Lenten effort helps even one young man or women control themselves, I will feel my struggle is worth it. I won’t write any more about it because it is between me, Jesus and the people I try to hell, but if I manage to stick with the Liturgy of the Hours through all of Lent then I’ll blow that trumpet.

Photo of Mt. Fuji, Japan

March 15, 2014

This morning we gathered together in Japan on a high snowy mountain. After receiving God’s blessing, those of us who had gathered began walking around the earth. As I walked I noticed the beautiful faces on young people and old and could detect good qualities in everyone. One lady kept smiling and I knew she would be the type of person who smiles a lot even through hardship. One man I watched worked hard at digging in a water logged field. I wasn’t sure what he was doing but admired his persistence. A young woman in Ireland was frustrated and upset with her children. I remembered my own frustrations while raising my children. I encouraged her to sit down in the chair, put her feet on the floor and slowly breathe in and out. I left her believing she would feel better after a few minutes of relaxed meditation.

At other places around the globe I watched people walk and drive and work and of a sudden, I realized that I never meet any people doing horrible acts. Such people exist; we read about them in the news. I asked myself if I over looked them or just choose to ignore them. The realization came to me that even walking with Jesus, I recognized my own limitations. (Maybe Jesus makes up for my lack). I may be able to give encouragement to someone only slightly off center, but not someone walking towards evil. As an example, I was able to turn a young boy away from joining his friends who were taking drugs by reminding him of how it would hurt his grandma, but the others in his group were too far along in their ways for my limited ability. Also, I think some people are more receptive to a hug or voice in their ear than other people. Well, it is all food for thought and I will think deeper on this later.

Back closer to home I sent golden light to surround a young man in great anger. I continued talking to him over and over and finally suggested he breathe in and out, in and out and concentrate on his breath. Meditation is so good for people that even without religion, it can work wonders. So from now on I think I will encourage people to relax and meditate, if only for a few minutes. A woman was yelling at her children telling them to do this and that in the house. I whispered to her and suggested she sit down for a minute, then put feet on the ground, hands on her lap, breath in and out slowly. I left her and went to other people to give hugs, share concern and love and then came back to the lady in the chair. One of her kids screamed and came running for her but she’d had those few minutes of relaxation so smiled when she got up from the chair and walked back into the living room to attend to her children with a calmer tone.

I saw much this morning, like a fast movie running past, people waiting for a bus, some watching television. I think I convinced one young man to perk up and get busy doing some thing, anything to put his mind in gear. I wondered how many times a praying spirit, angel, or caring person had did the same for me. It must count in the thousands because I finally turned out ok. Now I owe this same kindness to others. I remember that mother who found a peaceful center of being that would help her move on through the day with a better attitude. She was a good person who just needed a boost, as we all do at times. For this reason I will keep pushing and praying and encouraging as best I can.

My mind turns to flowers and greenery at this time of year

3/22/14

We met at the well in the deciduous forest and I put my hand out to feel the cold, icy water running down the rock into the natural well before it flows over the edge and downward making a small stream on the forest floor. The ferns are plentiful as are the tiny wild flowers and various shades of green leaves. It smells like early spring but the sun shines through the leaf tops as if it were summer bringing warmth to the ground. No matter, time is irreverent when we travel with our minds. Leaving the forest we walked in a golden-green meadow sprinkled with knee-high wild flowers that sweetened the air with their perfume. Here we stood together and held hands in a circle, many layers of us spiritual minds, ready to absorb the full essence of aliveness because in life is where God resides and flourishes for our benefit.

The process of life is God, its continuing and changes. As I grow wiser I see the green fauna of earth and its animals above and below ground all interacting and entwined. I saw the earth as cut down its center with the dynamics of it all contributing to the flow of heat and change that keeps the crust so full of aliveness. Miles down the movement begins with simple life that builds and culminates on the surface. And even far below, in the pores and rolls of earthy soil, God keeps all this life rolling and alive.

We each felt this life ever renewed and changing in our essence as we stood together as witnesses to life’s spirit and fulfillment. I suddenly thought of the oldest trees on the planet and wanted to stand before one of them to pray, to send extra light-energy into its core where amazingly streams of life still reside after six thousand years, a witness of the ages. Perhaps a witness for God about the little beings that run willy-nilly upon earth’s surface.

My prayer this morning was for all things alive and all things dying so as to contribute to more life in a never ending circle of being. How wondrous it all is, all this green stuff that is just now rising out from its white winter sleep, the tall trees that cover a third of the land surface soon to bud and bloom, animals and people stepping from cover to bask in a spring breeze. How better to speak in praise of God except through these grand events, how else to thank him for everything?