Drop to your knees. Sink deep into prayer.
Silent whispers to something, or to someone,
which is almighty. Powerful. Merciful.
In times of turmoil, exasperation and
angst.
And in times of fervent joy, abundance and
complete and utter gratitude.
The mystery that envelopes our lives and
this very Unknown has us question the purpose; the rhyme and the reason to it
all from time to time.
But then something happens – omens, signs
and synchronicity happen - leading us closer to our desire and dream. Often
masked and not always recognisable to the closed heart, but there nonetheless
when we are ready to see, and I mean really
See.
I’m talking about Alchemy. The idea of
being connected and supported by the profound powers, which we often call
Religion or Spirituality.
Recent travels to France and Italy
reignited my intrigue in the Divine, the Universe, God – whatever label you
prefer.
Churches and shrines, basilicas and venerable
monuments. Historic paintings and statues of saints and priests, and a cross
standing tall at the top of an insurmountable peak, towering over coastal towns
below.
Etched into rock, messages to spirits, and
at the base of alters, women holding photos of loved ones as they prayed in
silence.
Everywhere I looked, I saw expressions of
faith.
When in Morocco last year, I watched on as prayer
calls were sung at sunset from rooftops and from the heart of mosques. As men
kneeled with palms open and arms stretched out as they kissed the floor before
them. Blessing after blessing released out into the world.
Then in Bali, I was touched by the sacred
respect for the earth and the unbridled love for all creatures. Temples
shrouded in offerings; the scent of incense simmering in the dead heat of the
morning. Whole families saddling motorbikes in ceremonial dress, flowers in
hair and rice beads on their foreheads.
Gods and goddesses peered from every
corner, carved in stone, hanging from rearview mirrors in taxis. Their spirits epitomised
in dance around a roaring fire. Chants and trances, holy water and the Om.
I see the practice of worship and devotion
daily through yoga. Salutes to the new day, to the cycles, to the heavenly.
Candles alit and music humming the ancient language of Indian ancestors. Bodies
moving and lungs expanding all in the name of peace. There is honour and there
is grace.
These incarnations of the Sacred exist
everywhere. Maybe in different forms, but they exist.
Why?
Why do
you think is it important to believe? To believe in something or someone? To
feel supported, guided and led as we transverse the terrain that is our lives?
I look forward to hearing your point of view in the
comment box below.
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