This is the week to increase our attention on things we are thankful for. I am thankful for your attention.
The series on prayer that we are wrapping up today was the result of running across Simone Weil's quote: "Absolutely unmixed attention is prayer" (Post #2).
If you haven't read the comments for Posts 2-8, take a minute to do so. You will be amazed at the wisdom offered by readers of exploring the mystery.
Before we we shift our attention back to attention, I wanted to share this quote on prayer from Anne Lamott:*
"Here are the two best prayers I know: "Help me, help me, help me," and "Thank you, thank you, thank you." A woman I know says, for her morning prayer, "Whatever," and then for the evening, "Oh, well," but has conceded that these prayers are more palatable for people without children."
Have you learned anything about prayer that excites you? What do you think of Lamott's prayers? What is it easy for you to pay attention to? What is difficult for you to pay attention to? Are you glad we are going back to attention?
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
*Found on Page 83 of Roy Peter Clark's excellent book, Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies For Every Writer (2008).
I am participating in a three week program exploring impermanence. The assignment each day is to photograph or think of examples in our daily lives of impermanence.
Becky, our broken-toed-healed STEP instructor returned to class on Wednesday. Formulating questions began the second I spotted her because of my desire to know her ideas on using "prayer position" at the end of our sessions, and to fulfill the promise I made in Post #6. I was convinced a worthwhile story would unfold if I asked the right questions.
Much to my surprise at the end of our session she didn't use the term "prayer position."
She said: Lower your arms and put your hands on your chest.
After class many sweaty bodies gathered around her, each with a question or concern. There were so many people that when it was my turn I felt the need to be quick and maybe sounded accusatory when I said:
"You didn't say put hands in prayer position."
She looked shocked and stammered: "I always do, you mean I didn't?"
And that was pretty much the end of our conversation as she moved on to interact with others.
How do you deal with impermanence? Any more thoughts on prayer? Where do you fight against reality?
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
I confess to many years praying intercessory prayers to a deity, many years confessing my wrong doings to a deity, and many years praying prayers of thanksgiving to a deity.
These days when feelings swell inside me (that's how it feels), I try to forget about what I'm doing and pay attention to my breath. A few seconds is all I usually manage but even that short time feels like a pause in the action.
Different things happen during this pause. At times an awareness of something more than what I can see or know arises and gratitude ensues. This pause can also be full of angst.
Sometimes when I pause and note either what is happening outside of me or what is happening inside of me, thoughts of the old type of prayers come to mind and I wonder what I am doing.
My description of what I am attempting sounds more clear than it feels. I am exploring what prayer is in my life as we ponder these ideas together. I'd love to hear what you think.
I'm reading a book about a nun who was ordained in Thailand. One of her tasks is to note what is happening. Shortly after ordination she was instructed to be note what was going on fifteen hours a day. Maybe this "noting" is what we could call being in the present moment. Would she say she was praying fifteen hours a day?
Do you think being in the present moment is prayer? Are most of your prayers asking for something? confessing something? expressing thanksgiving? Do you do something else besides prayer? What do you name it?
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
Our STEP aerobics instructor Becky brings class to a close with specific instructions: raise your arms above your head, lower them, end with your hands in prayer position.
No one ever asks what she means by prayer position.
Becky recently broke her big toe. This meant for a couple days she led the class without using a polyethylene step. She performed moves directly on the floor which I thought put her in good company because that's what I do.
I wonder how Becky would define prayer. I wonder if she's prayed about her big toe? I'm going to ask her when she gets back from two weeks of recovery and her daughter's wedding.
This week my Mindfulness on the Go* card suggests that several times a day I become aware of my posture. Posture and position are related. I'm experimenting with keeping my body in active plank as much as I can manage.
My question to you is do you have a prayer posture or position?
Do you know how to do an active plank? Do you pay attention to your posture? If you do, does it help in any way and how do you remember to pay attention? Do you have any more thoughts about prayer?
Thanks for exploring the mystery - Nicky Mendenhall
* Mindfulness on the Go Cards, 52 Simple Meditation Practices You Can Do Anywhere created by Jan Chozen Bays, MD
