Day Twelve

Years ago, as a new mother without a daily yoga and meditation practice, the challenges of raising children inspired desperate prayers.  If I had uttered such prayers aloud, one might have sounded like this, “God, please help me!”  Or, another might sound like this, “Oh my God, not this again!”  I would feel like giving up.  I used to succumb  to self-pity; I’d wonder at the injustice of a Universe that shows no mercy to a sleep deprived, friendless, modern woman who is simply trying to survive an endless onslaught of physical, emotional, social, financial, and cultural demands.  I’d often fear I could never ever properly fulfill my family’s incessant needs.

“God, help me!” is not a true prayer but an expression of pure desperation.  How could I help it: My nervous system was weak.  My breath was too shallow.

Luckily, desperation is easy to transcend:  Deepen the breath.  Strengthen the lungs, the heart, and the nervous system.  Practice daily.  Feel at home with every inhale and every exhale.

Desperation turns to inspiration.  I feel ready for anything.  I wonder at the truth that anyone and everyone can vibrate the divine love of the Creator and All Creation!  I surrender completely to the Unknown facets of the fulfillment of the family’s needs.  The only thing that is up to me is to pray the prayer of the Mother.

Today’s Prayer:  May the singing of praises be your food.  Praise your life.  Praise your children.  Praise your friends.  Praise your spouse.  Praise a glass of water!  Praise a stubbed toe!  Praise your own heart’s prayer!  Praise the breath of life! Praise your Mother-in-Law’s cooking.  Praise your own consciousness.  And may the remembrance of your Source and True Home, the Creator and Creation, give you infinite delight!

Sat Nam!