Prayer

When we speak of the words "Prayer", many people react in different ways:

• Many may associate the word to "God and Spirituality" and to being "Religious".
  
• Many think of this as something that is very much superior to us - that which is beyond our reach.
• Some may think of it as the "solution" to all problems.
• Some may view it as a process to adore a faith and a form.
• Some may be stuck to the rituals the 'religion' has to offer.
• Some are steadfast in their faith.

In a nutshell, each individual may view this with different levels of awareness.

When we look up the meaning of "Prayer" in the dictionary - one of the definitions is as follows: "An address to God". When the term 'God' is used, some how most of us perceive it as something that is "far, far, away" where it takes a certain amount of effort to "get there."

What ever I am about to pen down, I write being very well aware of the fact that, every individual is different, every individual is on his/her exclusive path towards evolving to a higher level of consciousness, each one has his own set of experiences. I keep this in the back of my mind as I write the following and I am only sharing my point of view on this 'subject'.

So instead of using the dictionary version for the meaning of "Prayer", I would like to use a different definition for now - "Being one with your True Self". It is that space in time in our daily routine, where we feel "Absolute peace and Oneness with ourselves". These moments occur to us several different ways, waking up to it and becoming aware of these moments, will enrich our lives more, adding a new perspective of everything.

I wanted to pen down a few that cross my mind at this moment:

• A walk in the park with an elderly or even by yourself.
• A great work out.
• A good meal.
• When we dance.
• Drinking your favorite cup of coffee.
• The smile on a child's face that makes you smile back.
• When you see a baby who's asleep.
• When your child calls you dad or mom.
• When your friend calls you just to say "hi".
• When you look into the eyes of that someone special.
• Sitting by the camp fire with a freind and chatting away about everything under the sky till early in the morning.
• When we look at a beautiful gaint Sequoia in awe.
• When you hug a tree.
• When we see a flower in it's full blossom.
• A beautiful sunrise or a sunset, or when the sun's shining brightly with all its splendor during the day.
• The first snow shower when everything is simply white.
• When we look at the icicles that glitter like diamonds on the branches of the trees when the sun is back again.
• When it rains.
• When the wind blows.
• When you look at the moon and the stars.
• When seasons change.
• When we look at the birds simply flap their wings and drift away in the sky.
• When we listen to a song.
• When we are inspired after reading a great book.
• When there is a storm.
• When someone passes away.
• When there is pain.
• When there is grief.
• After a moment of despair when you say 'I give up', when things turn around with such precision, like everything is being taken care of.
• Every time a mother smiles at her child.
• When a baby is born.
• When you know you've done something that is good.
• When your heart reaches out to help someone.
• A quiet moment in the Church or at home when you are contemplating on That Higher Source.
• An opportunity to touch the feet of your teacher.
• A thankful moment, a moment of gratitude...

These are only a few of the moments that I've penned down here. I know that each one of you have more to add to your list. All we need to do is "Pause" and reflect on that moment, become aware of the "Now" and you will know that we all are in "Prayer" all the time and that we are simply connected to the God within, the Goodness within.

We are Divine, We are the Divine, Everything around us is a manifestation of the same Divinity within.