Fill My Soul with Love- For In Reality, That’s All There Really Is! Part Two
We have to do better! We have to be better!
The Tapestry of Humanity
***For translation of the text of the blog: touch the Blue Globe on the top right-hand corner.
Today I want us to continue this journey of discovering the connectedness of our faith expressions. I want us to uplift more of the faith community’s perspective of prayer, meditation, and the life force energy that sustains our “Soul essence and identity”-“Love”!
Today I want us to get a sense of what Buddhism, Sikhism, Indigenous Spiritual Traditions, African Spiritual Traditions, and the Bahá’i faith gifts our faith-based expressions with. I want us to discover the treads of who we are and to whom we belong to that create this human tapestry.
Buddhism attributes prayer as being expressed as aspirations, blessings, and intentions for all beings. Meditation is the heart of the Buddhist practice. They feel that meditation as an instrument that expresses awareness, compassion, wisdom and inner peace. Love, which is called “Metta”, is an expression of loving-kindness. There is the intention to cultivate unconditional love for -Self-Family-Friends-Strangers-and even enemies.
Sikhism holds a space for prayer as a way of remembering the “One Creator” throughout daily life. It is not something that is separate from us. Meditation is as simple and uncomplicated as the repetition fo God’s name (Naam Simran) which brings in peace and clarity to your soul. Love is seen as the bridge between the soul and God. The Sikh teachings emphasize Service, Equality, Compassion, and Humility.
Indigenous Spiritual Traditions are so different in the ways or rituals that are identified among nations and peoples, and at the same time many share common themes. Prayer in “Indigenous Spirituality” is often woven into everyday life through ceremony, songs, dance, gratitude, and relationship with nature. In reference to the ritual of meditation, is can occur through silence, vision quest, cloud watching,-my favorite daily ritual-listening to water, observing the stars, or sitting with the land. Love is a powerful gift and is expressed as a right relationship with the “Creator”, ancestors, community, Earth, animals, and future generations. How expansive and intentional is that expression of “Love”? Love is understood as belonging and reciprocity.
African Spiritual Traditions which can be found to some degree in the texture and context of the “African American Christian Churches, includes honoring ancestors, community rituals, drumming, song, and direct communication with “Spirit”. Meditation emerges through rhythm, storytelling, ceremony, and creation together. The spirit of Ubuntu is foundational as it teaches “I am because we are “!
The Bahá’i Faith believes that prayer nourishes the soul. The faith teaches that meditation helps people receive divine guidance and wisdom. Love is considered the force that unites humanity as one family. The Bahá’i teachings emphasize that humanity’s spiritual future depends upon learning to love beyond race, nation, religion, and class.
There is more elements in each of these faith communities that unite us than divides us. When we come to these faiths with an open heart, clarity of mind, and an honest soul desire to heal this broken world and the people that inhabit this magnificent planet, we have to acknowledge that across the world’s traditions, we see remarkable patterns of commonality. Prayer opens the heart! Prayer is the language of the heart! Meditation quiets the mind! Meditation is the listening of the “Soul”! Love awakens the “Soul”! Love is the bridge that unites all creation!
It absolutely does not matter if we are kneeling in a church, bowing in a mosque, chanting in a temple, sitting beneath a tree, watches the clouds, listens to the ocean, or sings in ceremony, the intention is often the same because when all is said and done, we are being called to remember who we are, whose we are, and how we are meant to live with one another in love, peace, joy, respect, and compassion.
The longing we feel and express our interconnection to one another. Unconsciously, we have a longing to awaken to love and compassion.
The Longing we have to live in harmony with one another and with Creation. I see our humanity as a great tapestry.
Each culture is a thread.
Each faith is a color.
Each person is a unique expression of the Divine.
If we remove a single thread and the tapestry is diminished.
If we but honor every thread the tapestry will reveal its beauty that is a reflection of the “Creator”- beauty and grace beyond the imagination of human understanding.
The Tapestry of Humanity is created with the following threads:
- The Thread of “Love”.
- The Thread of “Compassion”.
- The Thread of “Faith”.
- The Thread of the “Gift of Children”.
- The Thread of the “Wisdom and Discernment of the Ancestors”.
- The Thread of the sacred space that the “Community” holds for us.
- The Thread of the “Majesty and Beauty of the Earth” that supports our life force.
- The Thread of “Hope” that sustains us.
- The Thread of “Justice” that evolves our soul’s essence.
And lastly-
- The Thread of Peace that binds our interconnection to one another.
Ashé! Amen!
So, breathe deeply! Close your eyes and visualize something that brings you back into homeostasis with your soul expression. May today bring you a sense of peace, joy, and moments of feeling loved and validated for who you are and what you are gifting humanity.
Ashé! Have a Blessed Day!
**Note: These recordings are based on my blog writings, and all of this comes through Spirit. The recordings are a reflection of the writings and are not edited because I do not want to alter what is coming to me through “Great Spirit”. I am not seeking perfection, only serving as a vessel to bring love, peace, and joy, to our humanity.
Thank You Jim Brickman for your beautiful music that vibrates through this recording. This is a selection from his album – “Music to Quiet Your Mind and Sooth Your World”.
Stay in Touch: http://heart4kidsadvocacy.org/
