A Blessing for One Who is Exhausted
--by John O'Donohue (Jul 26, 2011)
When the rhythm of the heart becomes hectic,
Time takes on the strain until it breaks;
Then all the unattended stress falls in
On the mind like an endless, increasing weight,
The light in the mind becomes dim.
Things you could take in your stride before
Now become laborsome events of will.
Weariness invades your spirit.
Gravity begins falling inside you,
Dragging down every bone.
The tide you never valued has gone out.
And you are marooned on unsure ground.
Something within you has closed down;
And you cannot push yourself back to life.
You have been forced to enter empty time.
The desire that drove you has relinquished.
There is nothing else to do now but rest
And patiently learn to receive the self
You have forsaken for the race of days.
At first your thinking will darken
And sadness take over like listless weather.
The flow of unwept tears will frighten you.
You have traveled too fast over false ground;
Now your soul has come to take you back.
Take refuge in your senses, open up
To all the small miracles you rushed through.
Become inclined to watch the way of rain
When it falls slow and free.
Imitate the habit of twilight,
Taking time to open the well of color
That fostered the brightness of day.
Draw alongside the silence of stone
Until its calmness can claim you.
Be excessively gentle with yourself.
Stay clear of those vexed in spirit.
Learn to linger around someone of ease
Who feels they have all the time in the world.
Gradually, you will return to yourself,
Having learned a new respect for your heart
And the joy that dwells far within slow time.
Time takes on the strain until it breaks;
Then all the unattended stress falls in
On the mind like an endless, increasing weight,
The light in the mind becomes dim.
Things you could take in your stride before
Now become laborsome events of will.
Weariness invades your spirit.
Gravity begins falling inside you,
Dragging down every bone.
The tide you never valued has gone out.
And you are marooned on unsure ground.
Something within you has closed down;
And you cannot push yourself back to life.
You have been forced to enter empty time.
The desire that drove you has relinquished.
There is nothing else to do now but rest
And patiently learn to receive the self
You have forsaken for the race of days.
At first your thinking will darken
And sadness take over like listless weather.
The flow of unwept tears will frighten you.
You have traveled too fast over false ground;
Now your soul has come to take you back.
Take refuge in your senses, open up
To all the small miracles you rushed through.
Become inclined to watch the way of rain
When it falls slow and free.
Imitate the habit of twilight,
Taking time to open the well of color
That fostered the brightness of day.
Draw alongside the silence of stone
Until its calmness can claim you.
Be excessively gentle with yourself.
Stay clear of those vexed in spirit.
Learn to linger around someone of ease
Who feels they have all the time in the world.
Gradually, you will return to yourself,
Having learned a new respect for your heart
And the joy that dwells far within slow time.
--John O'Donohue, from "Blessings"
I found this uplifting prayer at iJourney, one of my favorite new sites. There so much insight and comfort in their articles, the site is well organized, and Pancho Ramos is a frequent contributor!
My favorite lines are
Become inclined to watch the way of rain
This isn't a blog specifically about Buddhism, although a few of my readers and I are Buddhists. I respect and embrace all light and truth, I hope never to offend anyone. I simply want to share my positive energy and love and inspire people to share their joy.
xoxo,
Mel
I found this uplifting prayer at iJourney, one of my favorite new sites. There so much insight and comfort in their articles, the site is well organized, and Pancho Ramos is a frequent contributor!
My favorite lines are
Become inclined to watch the way of rain
When it falls slow and free.
Or like a snowflake ^_^ Just falling... or not falling... it is actually headed towards it's goal, enjoying the journey. But just drifting peacefully along the breeze just being present, just perfectly and beautifully existent.
This isn't a blog specifically about Buddhism, although a few of my readers and I are Buddhists. I respect and embrace all light and truth, I hope never to offend anyone. I simply want to share my positive energy and love and inspire people to share their joy.
xoxo,
Mel
