This whole post is sacred and that poem just finds its way to the soul. Of course you find the ease se and shoot an arrow straight through it. Never someone to shy away from these topics that often lack the vocabulary necessary to grasp perfectly, you somehow still do and further more, create a resonate field for the rest of us.
All my life I rejected the word ‘God’ as it was affiliated with this deeply religious dogma that I didn’t want anything to do with. But like a patient friend, God has waited for my return. My spiritual journey has taken such twists and turns. To come back full circle and accept prayer in my heart was an act that defied my stubbornness but when I fell ill and so many people reached to me to tell me they’re praying for me, how can I refuse their prayer? Not to hedge my bet, but because it was deeply healing to know someone cared enough for me to pray! And of course, as I’m getting better, I welcome any and all prayer with total openness and acceptance. God has been with me all long.
I’m so lucky I have found you, Mary. You lift my life to a level that challenges and rewards me. Thank you, dear friend.
There's a woman named Christine on my latest thread who's talking about not letting them have the words and dictate their meaning, thinking we have to come up with something new. She even reclaims the words feminist and occultist. And talks about training Chat GPT, which she sees as the masculine voice, to actually respond and argues with it until it gives her what she wants. It's a very interesting lesson. The word God seems like one of those we shouldn't give up just because they've usurped it.
Your essay and poem washed over me like a welcome breeze Mary.
An anodyne solution to the impossible problems. I suspect its all about them frequencies behind everything, we can open to, align with and transmit out into the world.
Dear Mary, I broke my "Don't look at the computer screen before going for a walk" rule to read your post. As much as I dislike email, I'm always happy to see yours in my Inbox.
This one touched me deeply. And I seem to have had a similar experience around prayer, using the word "God", etc. as you so I won't drone on and on. When did it become so taboo in certain circles? I think it’s probably the “all powerful “man” in the sky that some people seem to be praying to that never seemed legit to me. I once read that the origin or the word “God” was “the sound of the wind in the trees.” I believe the Druids wrote this?? Don’t quote me on that one, but I thought it was so beautiful.
Just recently, I’ve had the same desire to return to prayer, in whatever form it takes. It certainly can't hurt, can it? I’ll end my long comment which is in danger of becoming its own post! by sharing this poem from Mary Oliver. I hope Substack leaves it in poem form rather than making it into a paragraph... Love you, Mary. Thanks for your beautiful words.. XO B
"The sound of the wind in the trees" as the origin of God's name seems perfect, even if it's apocryphal. And speaking of perfect... leave it to Oliver to find the perfect words to describe not needing the perfect words! Love this, Barbara, thank you.
Sep 8·edited Sep 8Liked by Mary Poindexter McLaughlin
Your whole piece was a beautiful (and timely… I was veering towards a black-pilled demeanour this morning) reminder, but this part in particular made so much sense to me: “By praying, by connecting in some way with Source first, we are prioritizing God and inviting help in ways we cannot fathom. Prayer is not about hedging bets, it’s about stacking the deck. It opens the field to all possibilities, all potentialities, all facilities, and all faculties — including miracles. And even that doesn’t come close to its immense power.”
Mary - It’s really amazing to sit down and watch It’s a Wonderful Life every year. Almost like being part of the Christmas spirit even for those of us who are not Christians. Notice how you never tire of watching it again and again because it touches a place that is so special and so human at the same time.
I’ve spent my entire adult life in quest of the ultimate truth and every day is a chance to drink from its fountain. And along the way some incredible visionaries like Khalil Gibran or Rumi or Hesse have left a trail of clues and a taste of where we are headed if we let the heart be our guide. After so many times engaging in IaWL, it’s pretty obvious that Capra was in their company as his masterpiece has sparked a flame of kindness and warmth in millions of souls like you and me.
And considering the amount of trouble and darkness that has surrounded me, I’m quite certain that there are some angels looking over me. Have you ever seen the film Wings of Desire? It’s another story about angels which I highly recommend. Here’s the trailer - https://youtu.be/liAOEb5rnbA?si=uV7eNwqEagsDw6NJ
My Father, Christ has asked a gift of me, and one I give that it be given me. Help me to use the eyes of Christ today, and thus allow the Holy Spirit’s Love to bless all things which I may look upon, that His forgiving Love may rest on me.
It’s waking prayer. While we work we try (I always fail) to step back and look without judgement.
So difficult to do consistently, this looking without judgment. Thank you for offering this lesson to the community here -- you've provided a great reminder yourself.
So hard. That’s where forgiveness comes in. It’s a deep kindness and patience with yourself to try but allow yourself to fail. What else can you do? The other way is gruelling and cold which is not loving.
Amen! to this, Mary. I think your timing is perfect too. We can all use reminding and encouragement, especially now as things seem to be dragging on and we begin to lose our umph!, as it were. I came up with an idea for our prayer group that after our timed period of silent contemplative prayer, I suggested we end with some upbeat short song or chant. We're going to try it out this week, so wish us luck.
Here's another one that is a Native American chant: https://youtu.be/qJ-tNr6nW5E?si=umnbUaOudzXr3siO "Where I sit is holy, holy is the ground... forest, mountain, river, listen to the sound...Great Spirit circles all around me."
Oh! and don't forget! You can always do a labyrinth walk for any special intention. xox
I do wish you luck with your group! Those songs/chants are gorgeous. I especially like the first one; I'm very partial to rounds. Let me know how it goes! xox
Beautiful, Mary. Someone said there are only four prayers, and I forget what they are so I'll make them up and maybe someone else knows: Thanks. Please. I'm sorry. Yes.
I used this a lot with one of my sons when he was in crises with alcohol and we thought he'd never stay sober (5 years in Oct!) I repeated all the time, with feeling.
Oh my, Mary, that was exactly what I needed to hear this morning.... the reminder I needed. It was the first thing I saw this morning and I read the first few paragraphs before heading in to start my tea and feed the cats... and it has transformed my day. I grew up with a "God helps those who help themselves" belief... I don't know where I got it - but prayer is always the LAST thing - after I have tried everything I can come up with... It was only when I hit my 80's that I began to work at doing it at least closer to the beginning.. All the things you said were wonderful reminders to my psyche - that it's OKAY to do it first! Thank you for this... it had me in tears more than once....
I write too and I know what it feels like to know how the time you spend to write what you do - effects others. And so I try to share that when it happens to me...
Prayer is a non-denominational word. All people can and do pray regardless of their beliefs. The main difference is that some religions require one to supplicate, lower, oneself before the entity, to offer the prayer. That is not something I was ever willing to do, the supplication. But that has no bearing on my ability to pray. No particular religion owns the word 'pray', and 'God' is not necessarily implied. Fact.
This whole post is sacred and that poem just finds its way to the soul. Of course you find the ease se and shoot an arrow straight through it. Never someone to shy away from these topics that often lack the vocabulary necessary to grasp perfectly, you somehow still do and further more, create a resonate field for the rest of us.
All my life I rejected the word ‘God’ as it was affiliated with this deeply religious dogma that I didn’t want anything to do with. But like a patient friend, God has waited for my return. My spiritual journey has taken such twists and turns. To come back full circle and accept prayer in my heart was an act that defied my stubbornness but when I fell ill and so many people reached to me to tell me they’re praying for me, how can I refuse their prayer? Not to hedge my bet, but because it was deeply healing to know someone cared enough for me to pray! And of course, as I’m getting better, I welcome any and all prayer with total openness and acceptance. God has been with me all long.
I’m so lucky I have found you, Mary. You lift my life to a level that challenges and rewards me. Thank you, dear friend.
There's a woman named Christine on my latest thread who's talking about not letting them have the words and dictate their meaning, thinking we have to come up with something new. She even reclaims the words feminist and occultist. And talks about training Chat GPT, which she sees as the masculine voice, to actually respond and argues with it until it gives her what she wants. It's a very interesting lesson. The word God seems like one of those we shouldn't give up just because they've usurped it.
Your essay and poem washed over me like a welcome breeze Mary.
An anodyne solution to the impossible problems. I suspect its all about them frequencies behind everything, we can open to, align with and transmit out into the world.
Beautiful. Thank you.
Love that! "All about them frequencies," yes indeedy.☺️
Thanks for the comment, KD. Xox
Dear Mary, I broke my "Don't look at the computer screen before going for a walk" rule to read your post. As much as I dislike email, I'm always happy to see yours in my Inbox.
This one touched me deeply. And I seem to have had a similar experience around prayer, using the word "God", etc. as you so I won't drone on and on. When did it become so taboo in certain circles? I think it’s probably the “all powerful “man” in the sky that some people seem to be praying to that never seemed legit to me. I once read that the origin or the word “God” was “the sound of the wind in the trees.” I believe the Druids wrote this?? Don’t quote me on that one, but I thought it was so beautiful.
I imagine you’ve heard Rfk, Jr. giving his thoughts on God. I love what he says. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lMYo0SNjB5g&t=141s
Just recently, I’ve had the same desire to return to prayer, in whatever form it takes. It certainly can't hurt, can it? I’ll end my long comment which is in danger of becoming its own post! by sharing this poem from Mary Oliver. I hope Substack leaves it in poem form rather than making it into a paragraph... Love you, Mary. Thanks for your beautiful words.. XO B
“Praying
It doesn’t have to be the blue iris,
it could be weeds in a vacant lot, or a few
small stones; just
pay attention, then patch
a few words together and don’t try
to make them elaborate, this isn’t
a contest but the doorway
into thanks, and a silence in which
another voice may speak.”
--Mary Oliver
"The sound of the wind in the trees" as the origin of God's name seems perfect, even if it's apocryphal. And speaking of perfect... leave it to Oliver to find the perfect words to describe not needing the perfect words! Love this, Barbara, thank you.
I had to look up apocryphal! 😂🩷
Your whole piece was a beautiful (and timely… I was veering towards a black-pilled demeanour this morning) reminder, but this part in particular made so much sense to me: “By praying, by connecting in some way with Source first, we are prioritizing God and inviting help in ways we cannot fathom. Prayer is not about hedging bets, it’s about stacking the deck. It opens the field to all possibilities, all potentialities, all facilities, and all faculties — including miracles. And even that doesn’t come close to its immense power.”
Thank you 🙏🏾
I've been veering in that direction as well, which is why I needed to write it! Thanks for the comment, SF.
And thanks for giving me the opportunity to re-read that segment, Neshma. It was worth going over again ... and again.
💐💗
Really loved reading this. Thank you!! Sitting down now to focus within and allow the divine wisdom and love to flow through ☀️
I'm so glad, Jeff. For all of it.
Mary - It’s really amazing to sit down and watch It’s a Wonderful Life every year. Almost like being part of the Christmas spirit even for those of us who are not Christians. Notice how you never tire of watching it again and again because it touches a place that is so special and so human at the same time.
I’ve spent my entire adult life in quest of the ultimate truth and every day is a chance to drink from its fountain. And along the way some incredible visionaries like Khalil Gibran or Rumi or Hesse have left a trail of clues and a taste of where we are headed if we let the heart be our guide. After so many times engaging in IaWL, it’s pretty obvious that Capra was in their company as his masterpiece has sparked a flame of kindness and warmth in millions of souls like you and me.
And considering the amount of trouble and darkness that has surrounded me, I’m quite certain that there are some angels looking over me. Have you ever seen the film Wings of Desire? It’s another story about angels which I highly recommend. Here’s the trailer - https://youtu.be/liAOEb5rnbA?si=uV7eNwqEagsDw6NJ
Yes! Letting our hearts be our guides. ❤️
I've known of that movie forever, yet never watched it. I'm going to now. Thanks for the nudge, Jeff.
Beautiful. Thank you, Mary. Just had a read aloud over morning tea. Now we will pray.
You're so welcome, Teresa. Thanks for being here!
This is a lesson from A Course In Miracles-
My Father, Christ has asked a gift of me, and one I give that it be given me. Help me to use the eyes of Christ today, and thus allow the Holy Spirit’s Love to bless all things which I may look upon, that His forgiving Love may rest on me.
It’s waking prayer. While we work we try (I always fail) to step back and look without judgement.
Thanks for your reminder of prayer
So difficult to do consistently, this looking without judgment. Thank you for offering this lesson to the community here -- you've provided a great reminder yourself.
So hard. That’s where forgiveness comes in. It’s a deep kindness and patience with yourself to try but allow yourself to fail. What else can you do? The other way is gruelling and cold which is not loving.
Yes. 100%.
Exquisite, Mary. Truer still...
Amen! to this, Mary. I think your timing is perfect too. We can all use reminding and encouragement, especially now as things seem to be dragging on and we begin to lose our umph!, as it were. I came up with an idea for our prayer group that after our timed period of silent contemplative prayer, I suggested we end with some upbeat short song or chant. We're going to try it out this week, so wish us luck.
Here's one I liked: https://youtu.be/RVkukufemrs?si=bOR2pXNueIU1QgIr "One by one everyone comes to remember, we're healing the world one heart at a time."
Here's another one that is a Native American chant: https://youtu.be/qJ-tNr6nW5E?si=umnbUaOudzXr3siO "Where I sit is holy, holy is the ground... forest, mountain, river, listen to the sound...Great Spirit circles all around me."
Oh! and don't forget! You can always do a labyrinth walk for any special intention. xox
I do wish you luck with your group! Those songs/chants are gorgeous. I especially like the first one; I'm very partial to rounds. Let me know how it goes! xox
Beautiful, Mary. Someone said there are only four prayers, and I forget what they are so I'll make them up and maybe someone else knows: Thanks. Please. I'm sorry. Yes.
There's also the Annie Lamott "Help, Thanks, Wow."
Oh right, Wow! How could I forget Wow?
😂
The ho'oponopono prayer.
I'm sorry
Please forgive me
Thank you
I love you.
I used this a lot with one of my sons when he was in crises with alcohol and we thought he'd never stay sober (5 years in Oct!) I repeated all the time, with feeling.
Oh how gorgeous. And I am tearing up from your story. Thank you, I love you.
😘 Your reply is making me tear up!! Oh, gee, what a couple of softies, are we.
Me too.
I used that prayer during the hardest times of my marriage, when I thought maybe we were done.
So happy for you and your son, Kathleen 🥹
Thank you, Mary. Perhaps our happy-endings speak well for that prayer. :-)
xo
Merci. Thank you for reminding me of the essential
You're welcome. I so appreciate your presence here, Johanne
Lovely. Thank you.
Beautiful as always Mary! I look forward to a conversation soon.
Thanks, CM. Me, too!
Oh my, Mary, that was exactly what I needed to hear this morning.... the reminder I needed. It was the first thing I saw this morning and I read the first few paragraphs before heading in to start my tea and feed the cats... and it has transformed my day. I grew up with a "God helps those who help themselves" belief... I don't know where I got it - but prayer is always the LAST thing - after I have tried everything I can come up with... It was only when I hit my 80's that I began to work at doing it at least closer to the beginning.. All the things you said were wonderful reminders to my psyche - that it's OKAY to do it first! Thank you for this... it had me in tears more than once....
Barb, your comment made my day. I'm so very glad my piece affected you that way...❤️
I write too and I know what it feels like to know how the time you spend to write what you do - effects others. And so I try to share that when it happens to me...
Deeply appreciated!
Prayer is a non-denominational word. All people can and do pray regardless of their beliefs. The main difference is that some religions require one to supplicate, lower, oneself before the entity, to offer the prayer. That is not something I was ever willing to do, the supplication. But that has no bearing on my ability to pray. No particular religion owns the word 'pray', and 'God' is not necessarily implied. Fact.
Perfect! Thank you