wisdom – THIS HAPPENED

dear Shiva, please bless me in these harsh times with the endurance & patience of earth;
the relentless persistence & generosity of water; the purity
& high energy of fire; the clarity & transparency of air; & the
acceptance & inclusiveness of space. i serve You through these living elements.

may i give of my intelligent light freely to all, as the sun teaches. may
i illuminate the mystery & wonder of darkness, as the moon teaches.
may i be a spark of encouragement & upliftment, as the blazing stars teach.
the sun, moon & stars call us to lift our eyes to the sky to be touched by guidance
& instruction from divine powers vaster than our human capabilities.

may i be a source of ever-renewing nurture & stability, as earth
teaches. may i be a source of circulating motion, ever including both
the lowest & the highest realms, as water teaches. may i be a source of pure
dynamic energy & enthusiasm, as fire teaches. may i be a
source of inspiration, movement, change, inquiry & detachment, as air teaches.
may i be a source of healing through the sacred power of OM, as space teaches.

dear Shiva, i am grateful that everything has the capacity to instruct,
as You have ordained for our continuing healing, evolution & wisdom.

"this is the path for you" they say, dripping devout intensity, eyes burning as they nail me to their patriarchal history. thus, religion is designed to create good faithful followers; education teaches us to memorize accepted answers. i prefer to ask deep questions in the form of humble prayers & find my answers in the sky & the curvature of flowers. i would rather walk a hillside path or sit by a quiet lake than be closed in a room to give over my mind to them to take. the price of such daring freedom is to stand outside of custom, observing with detachment when they would rather have me trust them. the wisdom of the heart will serve by the blessed grace of Shiva, whom i trust with all my lives to guide me safely through this maya.