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Today is dress rehearsal for Missa Gaia - three hours of intense work - in anticipation of our benefit concert. As I was sipping tea this morning I read Richard Rohr's weekly summary of his daily insights into 12 Step spirituality and was struck by the beautiful simplicity of this practice. I suspect I will be using it before, after and during our rehearsal. Check it out...
Practice
The Yahweh Prayer
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The
breath is a primary example of how we cannot control our happiness despite
our best efforts. Our bodies breathe automatically, without contrivance,
clinging, over-thinking. The air is freely given. We can only realize our
dependence upon the air that surrounds us and surrender to the gratuity of
air coming and going.
A
rabbi taught this prayer to me many years ago. I write about it in the second
chapter of my book The Naked Now. The Jews did not speak God's name, but breathed it with an
open mouth and throat: inhale--Yah; exhale--weh. By our very breathing we are speaking the
name of God. This makes it our first and our last word as we enter and leave
the world.
Breathe
the syllables with open mouth and lips, relaxed tongue:
Inhale--Yah
Exhale--weh
During
a period of meditation, perhaps twenty minutes, use this breath as a
touchstone. Begin by connecting with your intention, your desire to be
present to God. Breathe naturally, slowly, and deeply, inhaling and exhaling Yah-weh. Let your focus on the syllables soften and
fall away into silence. If a thought, emotion, or sensation arises, observe
but don't latch on to it. Simply return to breathing Yah-weh.
You
may be distracted numerous times. And perhaps your entire practice will be
full of sensations clamoring for attention. Contemplation is truly an
exercise in humility! But each interruption is yet another opportunity to
return to Presence.
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Gateway to Silence
Breathing
in--receiving mercy; breathing out--letting go
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