Quiet Reflections and Prayers
It was in the willingness
to stand still
for just a moment
when there was no time
to stand still,
to stop trying so hard
to be better,
to meet whatever appeared —
even if it was nothing
at all.
It was in the persistence
of holding my ground —
even if that very ground
seemed shakey
and dissolved
into the nothing.
It was here
that I found a peace
that never left.
At a certain point,
it became clear
that relief must come
at once,
in the form of
a respite,
an unspoken truce —
in the middle of
all that remained
unhealed
and unsettled.
And so I entered
the place beyond thought.
And though the energy
of what was held there
was often intense,
it was always tender
to sink a little
further in,
to be willing
to allow the uneasiness
to be there
and to subside,
to see this place
outside of me —
to be okay
no matter what.
I found
it was possible
to hold
all that appeared
for however long,
however intense
life on the surface became —
however hard it shook.
I found it was possible
to hold my ground
a little deeper down
and to reach
a little further out.
I found all things
were shifted
with this willingness
to be
in a state of prayer.
Lead me safely back
to my Self.
Teach me how
not to follow a thought.
Remind me
of the beauty
that exists
just below the surface.
And when it is
time for words,
let them
always be new.
Help me to set down
conditioned thinking
and the need
to be wise
or to be
anything at all.
Let me be
empty instead.
Amen
Sometimes there are
no words.
And sometimes
they just come.
I can’t say
which it will be.
But I will show
up either way.
I found there was
calm
in the middle of chaos —
sinking down in
and through
to the place called
state of prayer ––
holding on
to the space within,
honoring whatever appeared —
letting go
of everything else.
May we find courage
to follow
the quiet whisper
of love
to our true selves,
no longer pushing it aside
in order to be
what we think
the world needs
us to be —
for the world needs us
to be
what we are —
even if it has forgotten.
Amen
Sometimes the story
on the surface
was too much.
And so I found
I could toss it up
and trust the pieces
to come back down
a little more gently.
And I was thankful
for the quiet
wordless messages
from my heart
that took its place.
I didn’t wish them
to be less subtle anymore
because I knew they came
from that pure place
where nothing is too much.
For a while
I searched for healing
outside of me.
There were those
who showed up to walk
with me for brief time.
There were those
who turned away.
All were helpful pointers.
But it was when I became
willing to turn around
and stand firmly
in the quiet place within,
to go straight to the core,
the place we long for
and fear,
that just the right ones
showed up
at just the right time
to walk me through
the door
of my own heart.
And I was thankful
for this
and for each one before
and after
who was brave enough
to take this sacred journey
and meet me in this place
where we are one.
And when there is
much noise
and movement,
I assure you
I’m still here
in the silence.
Look a little closer,
into and through
your own heart.
I’m still here.
Laurie's Notes 