I'm back from my (really great) 8 day silent retreat at Eastern Point in Gloucester. I know many of your were praying for me while I was away - and I was praying for you, too! Thus, tonight's prayer...
On my retreat, Lord,
I had time and reason
to remember and to pray for
all the good people,
the really fine people
who've been and who are
such a part of my life!
Generous people who selflessly giveand give and give- and then give some more...Those who are kind,so genuinely kind:no pretense, self-interest or guile...Folks who forgive, Lord,quietly, quickly,whose pardon is healing,deep in my soul...And the ones who are holy
- and don’t even know it -whose holiness modelsyour grace and your peace...Folks who are gentlein word and in deed,never rough, never harsh,neither careless nor coarse...Those who are strongand are there for supportwhen I'm weak, when I'm sad,when I'm down, when I'm out...The ones who are trueto conviction and conscience,whose zeal never flags,whose faith never fades…Friends who are honestin all that they say,whose gift is the plainand unadorned truth...Folks of compassion,with patience unending,who listen with lovewhile drying my tears...People of prayerwho share their faith,
whose friendship is healing,is balm for my soul...Good people, Lord,
so many good peoplewhose paths have crossed mineand become part of my life...
People, O Lord,
more generous and kind,
more forgiving and holy,
more deeply convicted, faithful and true,
more thoughtful and caring,
stronger and gentler,
more prayerful and pure
than I in my sins...
I'm grateful, Lord,
for the gift of such friends,
each a gift, a gem, a grace in my life;
I pray that I'll learn from their loving ways
to be such a friend
in grateful return...
Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
Protect me, Lord, while I'm awake
and watch over me while I sleep
that awake, I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace...
Amen.
No doubt about it - tonight's song is very different! It's not a Christian hymn or canticle, it's the work of an Indian guru who travels internationally speaking on peace and the practice of meditation. A few of the references are drawn from Indian culture but there's a depth here that beautifully crosses any boundaries that may separate us...
My Friend Showed Me by Prem Rawat
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My friend showed me the business of divine,
My friend showed me the way to the one that’s mine.
In the silence of the heart where the truth aligns,
My friend showed me the business of divine.
In the open field it waited, lying hidden in clay,
Shining softly in sunlight
though the world just walked away.
Many passed without a glimmer,
never caught the sign,
But the true heart heard it whisper,
lifted what was left behind.
My friend showed me the business of divine,
My friend showed me the way to the one that’s mine.
In the silence of the heart where the truth aligns,
My friend showed me the business of divine.
Everyone speaks of the jewel,
says they know the sacred thread,
But the knot of life stays tightened
while the truth remains unsaid.
Only those who dare to loosen
what is tangled in the mud
Feel the openin’ inside them,
see the treasure left behind.
My friend showed me the business of divine…
Blind are traveling in darkness,
blind ones leading blind,
Who will point toward the doorway?
Who will light the hidden sign?
Only love can lift the shadow,
only grace can clear the path,
Only guidance from the inward
`frees us from the wanderer’s wrath.
My friend showed me the business of divine…
Like a fly caught deep in honey,
` wings are dreamin’ of the sky,
Sweetness holds it in its prison
though it longs to rise and fly.
Desire pulls and tightens softly,
every struggle just reminds,
Some dreams free you when awakened,
some dreams keep you stuck inside.
My friend showed me the business of divine…
Henna leaves look dull and quiet
till the fire of truth is stirred,
Kabir saw the hidden color
in the silence of the word.
When the heart becomes a canvas
and the being begins to shine,
Then the color of awakening
paints the business of divine.
My friend showed me the business of divine,
My friend showed me the way to the one that’s mine.
In the silence of the heart where the truth aligns,
My friend showed me the business of divine.
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