One of my problems, like everyone, is that I get stuck in habits and opinions.
And these habits slow down, even sabotage, my development as I seek to become more connected, more conscious and more loving.
My opinions and my sense of self are the worst ruffians.
Just because I have a particular opinion I am attached to it. These opinions are both very shallow and very deep.
At the shallow end I have a sense of aesthetics and culture. So for example I think people should enjoy certain television series and not others, wear colours that suit their skin tone and not own motorcycles of a certain brand.
Less shallow, I am opinionated around politics, social and cultural affairs. It does not take long to identify me as an anarchic green socialist with strong tendencies to intellectual snobbery.
I also have distinct opinions about metaphysics, esoterics and spirituality. These inform much of my daily life and practice.
And then so much deeper is this sense of self, this particular William.
Being glued into any of these opinions — I use the word ‘opinion’ lightly and deeply — blocks the flow and expansion of my growth.
So a while ago I wrote a prayer-poem to help me.
I share it with you now:
EACH BREATH, NEW PATTERNS
Life within me
Life around
Unfold within me now the
Power of growth
Wisdom of love
Intelligence of being
Let me find integrity in the
Service of liberation
Let my inner life be proved in the strength of silent action
As each breath creates new patterns
Give me rhythm to embrace unfoldment
May I know beauty in every difference
Welcome change in every crisis
And give compassion to every cry
Consciousness joins all in life
Earth to cosmos
Soil to stardust
Human to divinity
Let love flame within
Freedom is with all
Love x
The problems you describe resonated with me so thank you so much for sharing these and for your uplifting prayer-poem.
I loved your reflections William and your poem. I have been pondering on it for a while and I have a question. When are we ever good enough? For most of my life I was told I am the wrong person, with the wrong feelings. thoughts and beliefs. When I discovered spirituality I found a way to go deep within to find aspects of myself I never knew existed. Parts of me so deeply hidden for protection. I found out what I believed, what I valued and what gave me a sense of worth and being. Who ever/ whatever created me made me this way. Why would they do that if i am not supposed to be this person??
I feel very passionate about many things. Isn’t this what being human is? Being in harmony with your souls instincts, feelings. In my experience if I listen to my gut instincts I am always led on the right path for me.
So aren’t you good enough as you are William? Doesn’t your opinions guide you on your life path. How would you know where to go or what to do otherwise. Isn’t this the human/ spiritual journey we are on?
Are we all not being the best we can be, in these circumstances in this moment? I personally feel that is good enough.
Wonderful question. — For me there are different ways of looking at it. I like the esoteric perspective that suggests we are all souls on a journey developing love-wisdom and consciousness. As we wake up to the reality of that journey we understand better how we need to develop and grow. That is a private and personal self-assessment that guides us. —- In that context what other people say and how they judge us is irrelevant – except that it may help us grow. In my life other people’s criticisms have often helped me identify stuff in me that needed to shift, but I was never bullied or victimised or misdiagnosed. — For some people their great lesson is to liberate themselves from the judgments of others.—- It is complex. The journey is an adventure. Many turns. xxx
Thank you William! Makes my day – on a deep and shallow level… love Maurits
Thank you William, I love this
Thanks for beautiful prayer/poem and for all that you do. Your musing reminded me of one of my fav quotes from Tao Te Ching trans. Ursula K Le Guin.
“Opinion is the barren flower of the Way.”
Great Poem/Prayer thanks William
I love this! Thank you!
Yeah great stuff..thanks for that!!
Lizzie
What I find utterly amazing is the way synchronicity works. I wrote this EcoHymn at the beginning of the virus outbreak, and felt simultaneously elated and deeply ashamed. But it says how I really feel, and that’s the connection I think is wonderful to forward, creatively. Thank you William! Furthermore, if anyone who loves singing and recording reads this, and likes the eco-lyrics, I pay £50 per recording, when arranged previously with me beforehand. This is not a commercial venture. It’s a heart-led one to help change our attitude to our beloved planet.
Earth’s Aura
Inspiration: ‘Breathe on me, breath of God’
by Edwin Hatch 1835 -1889
Miracle of our lives,
Earth’s Aura that we breathe.
Connecting us to everything,
Connecting you and me.
It flows in to our blood.
Gives life to every cell.
In our own world no greater thing
How Earth keeps us so well.
Each moment of our lives,
whatever that we do,
Constant as our own beating hearts
dances its streaming flow.
Earth’s Aura flows through me.
Great gift of life renewed.
Invisible to human eyes.
Connecting you and me.
© Gaia Dance 2020
Website: https://www.ecologisers.com
I will stick to this opinion: beautiful and uplifting poetry!
Beautifully deep and uplifting.
A gentle reminder to stay present with the breath and not get caught up in thinking…. judgements….preferences.
Thank you 🙏🏻💕
William ; good to see and hear you are alive and well . Perhaps Transformation comes from defining the boundaries then changing them ; not by words or definitions but by energy . Form is created in part by a step down of ultra sonic sound and etheric light ; you can transform an issue using similar . Laughter is a good example of that ; so is creative art work ; or knitting . There is no one hat fits all that moves mountains ; it’s all unique and custom made to the user xo/M
Thank you William. So light, so deep.
Marilyn
Thankyou for that William. I am feeling very resistant today but am grateful for you sharing that.
Thank you for this William. I am not having a good day, actually I have cried my way through it. I could not face my spiritual practice today, I feel breathless. But – having just read your prayer, I am breathing again.
Bernadette x
thank you
One word “Beautiful”
William, thank you for the depth of my heart. You have been and still are one of my spiritual teachers. Helped by your light and wisdom I am now more confident while walking through the paths of life. Your poem is truly enlightening, encouraging and inspiring. Thank you. Love and light to us all 🌞🙏💖
William. I had literally just come out of an hour long “focussing on the breath” meditation when your email came up on my phone. I had set the intention to meditate without attachment to any of my opinions about what was required for further growth and development, you your poem/prayer could not have been more relevant. Thank you
Thank you