Monday, October 29, 2012

Being as One in the Storm (Sandy - Autumn 2012)



I just got the following well-spoken lines from Jean Houston's email list. She credits the first paragraph (in quotes) to a good friend of her's -- the poet Bonnie Myotai Treace. The words of both these poets (who are also spiritual leaders) speak heartily for and to me, inspire my prayers and remind me of our unbroken oneness with all who suffer this night...

Compassion During the Storm

“I grieve the end of orange leaves. The soon beating death of trees so many, cracked and broken, pulled from earth, struck and whipt by wind: trees that will not be mentioned with love, just blamed for downed lines, troubled lives. My people, they will be breaking, falling, dying. I sing their lives. Stronger than silk, milk, midnight. Deeper than shadows, intimations, rootedness itself. The taffeta sound of their falling is my grief endlessly landing falling again then landing again endlessly...”

I watch the storm roaring through and think on trees lost, homes flooded, people preparing for the worst that beats all expectation. All, sentient, footed, finned, winged and rooted, all falling or fleeing the ravages of Nature’s returning wildness. And I think on the pity and terror of we who live in “safe and sound” places, seeing it all on screens—the Great Powers unhinged and the power outages that follow obediently in their wake.

The pastors intone the sacred words, “Let us pray…” So yes, let us pray, but also let us harken to the hearts that beat in dread, the valiant efforts of those who help and those who wander in both lostness and gathering found-ness. Let us send them etheric roads, routes, lines of leaving what must be left, discovering refuge, finding the community of all of us in this together.

May we regain both strength and compassion to serve each other, the resilience to restore and recreate after it is over, and, most deeply, the return of wonder, of gratitude, and a commitment to remember our ultimate truth—that we are after all-the One in the Many and the Many in the One.
Love,
Jean Houston

( We might know this same oneness from within our 'safer' night. We may hold tight in spirit some shaking mother and call forth a presence as guide and godly light. We may listen for the storm we barely hear and send into its midst a prayer for all who feel alone -- keeping watch within our strange, storm-felt sleep -- sending solace like a hand for another hand to grasp. Being prayer with each breath until the storm is past. CLN )


6 comments:

Akhtar Wasim Dar said...

We join this pray that "let us harken to the hearts that beat in dread, the valiant efforts of those who help and those who wander in both lostness and gathering found-ness. Let us send them etheric roads, routes, lines of leaving what must be left, discovering refuge, finding the community of all of us in this together."

God bless us all and let us not lose faith and hope that is out there with every ray of sun light.

CN said...

AWD: I love those lines as well...they are so beautiful, fresh, succinct & offer great new words for prayer..

Thanx for your lines of solidarity in faith as well.

Now to face the storm in the East: who do we call -- our children far and wide of course in school...what to tell them to do to prepare for the winds? Hopefully they will not drive...

Sandy Tuesday am 30 October

Now time for steady leadership over the longhaul...how can our leaders do this -- or will they -- during this election period?
http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/13287302-hurricane-sandy-opportunity-for-obama-to-show-steady-leadership?utm_source=stormpost&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Allvoices%20Newsletter

robert said...

Greetings,

Thank you for this post. Very nice.

Faith does not rest on proofs, is superior to rational understanding, and accepts no disappearance of the Sun. May our prayers - for everyone - be this total.

Thanks.

All good wishes,

robert

CN said...

How I love your chosen & so relevant lines, Robert! I'd like to know more about why this poetry and experiential truth rings so felt to you?

"Faith does not rest on proofs, is superior to rational understanding, and accepts no disappearance of the Sun. May our prayers - for everyone - be this total."

CN said...

Storms of all kinds whip up fear and reminders of hidden fears. So I addressed this fact in my meditative time today here:

http://nomorecrusades.blogspot.com/2012/10/sacrificing-worry-and-fear-instead-of.html

CN said...

Along with seeking and praying for peace during this terrible storm,

Let's all use our practical skills and know how as well.

I hear that most of the deaths in the path of Sandy are due to falling limbs...

Just a reminder to steer clear of trees:

http://wvgazette.com/News/201210310073

Also be sure to get a flashlight you can keep charged for times of blackouts.

Further, if you are feeling obsessed by fear, I recommend items in the 12-step program. Try Al Anon as well as others.

On my other site: nomorecrusades.blogspot.com you may like this piece I just posted today, my Wednesday 31 October,on switching off the constant static from fear channels to staying present & with a surprisingly contemporary bit of wisdom at the end.

Let's remember, blackout or not, We Are In This Together...