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Previous Meditations, Prayers, and Contemplations MeditationFeelings...nothing more than feelings Each and every time you are in contact with a sensory condition, do not forget to keep the thought in mind that an opportunity for practice has arrived, always roughly ascertaining only whether or not you are affected by that sensory condition. If you recognize them as deluded thought they will vanish themselves. Found written on the bathroom wall at a Korean Buddhist Center in Waianae, Hawaii Awake My God comes to me on the morning dew. The Power of the Universe knows my name. He gave me a song to sing and sent me on my way. I believe in Justice. I believe! (excerpted from CD Sweet Honey and the Rock:Sacred Ground) Before All This Before there were these problems Before there were these bills Before there were these arguments Before there were these pills Before there were these mortgages and payments due for rent Before there were these headaches over how much cash I've spent Before there were these losses of people that I love Before there were these guilty thoughts that fit me like a glove Before there were these highs and lows Before there were these frights Before there were these worries that keep me up a night Before there were these wars that keep my fear on high Before there were these aches and pains that never say goodbye Before all those things that made the mountain look so steep Was me embraced in loving light, about to fall asleep. Thank You, Mark S. Husson http://www.12house.com/home/markbio.cfm A Matter of Perception: RIVER WALK A monk is out for a walk. The monk comes to a river and sees another on the opposite bank. "Yoo-hoo!" the monk shouts, "How can I get to the other side?" The other looks up the river then down the river and shouts back, "You ARE on the other side." anonymous Prayer of the Bodhisattva Alone in the presence of others, I walk through the waking dream of life. Others see me. At the first sight of recognition, they turn away, for they have forgotten. Together, through the waking dream of Life, we journey. May the clarity of my vision guide your life in grace, for I am part of you. May my action remind you of your God within, my action is your action. May my breath become the breath that fills your body of life. May my soul become the food with which to nourish and quicken you. May the words from my mouth find a place of truth within your heart. Let my tears become water to your lips. Allow my love to heal your body of the pain of life. In your most healed state, may you remember your most precious gift: your divine nature. Through our time together, may you know yourself. In that knowing, may you find your true home, your God within. --The Buddha Within Even in the case of individuals, there is no possibility to feel happiness through anger. If in a difficult situation one becomes disturbed internally, overwhelmed by mental discomfort, then external things will not help at all. However, if despite external difficulties or problems, internally ones attitude is of love, warmth, and kindheartedness, then problems can be faced and accepted. -His Holiness the Dalai Lama Feelings...nothing more than feelings Each and every time you are in contact with a sensory condition, do not forget to keep the thought in mind that an opportunity for practice has arrived, always roughly ascertaining only whether or not you are affected by that sensory condition. If you recognize them as deluded thought they will vanish themselves. Found written on the bathroom wall at a Korean Buddhist Center in Waianae, Hawaii Happy New Year ************* Prayer of Sekhet-a-ra "[Sophia], of thy wisdom, teach me to be a flame for the benighted ones, so that I may warm their hearts and light their darkness, until of their own knowledge, they can kindle their own fire, and having kindled it can leave the darkness and dwell at last in the light of the sun." Prayer given to Sekhet-a-ra, pharaoh of the First Dynasty by her teacher, Ney-sey-ra in the book, "Winged Pharaoh" by Joan Grant. Hymn to the Mother of the Gods 1. Hail to our mother, who caused the yellow flowers to blossom, who scattered the seeds of the maguey, as she came forth from Paradise. 2. Hail to our mother, who poured forth flowers in abundance, who scattered the seeds of the maguey, as she came forth from Paradise. 3. Hail to our mother, who caused the yellow flowers to blossom, she who scattered the seeds of the maguey, as she came forth from Paradise. 4. Hail to our mother, who poured forth white flowers in abundance, who scattered the seeds of the maguey, as she came forth from Paradise. 5. Hail to the goddess who shines in the thorn bush like a bright butterfly. 6. Ho! she is our mother, goddess of the earth, she supplies food in the desert to the wild beasts, and causes them to live. 7. Thus, thus, you see her to be an ever-fresh model of liberality toward all flesh. 8. And as you see the goddess of the earth do to the wild beasts, so also does she toward the green herbs and the fishes. The goddess to whom this hymn is devoted was called Teleoinan, the Aztec Mother of the Gods, Toçi, our Mother (maternal ancestor), and also by another name which signified "the Heart of the Earth." Thirty-Six Contemporary Dharmic Principles 1. Simplify life and serve others. 2. Live in spiritual company. 3. Seek fresh air and sunshine. 4. Drink pure water. 5. Eat simple, real foods, not animal flesh. 6. Live in harmony with nature. 7. Consume what you genuinely need rather than desire. 8. Revere the many forms of life. 9. Exercise thirty minutes every day. 10. Make peace, not noise. 11. Make a temple of your home. 12. Develop an art form or craft. 13. Make your own clothing and furniture. 14. Express joy through song and dance. 15. Grow your own food organically. 16. Plant twelve trees a year. 17. Purify your environment. 18. Leave beauty where you pass. 19. Realize God in this life. 20. Be one with your guru. 21. Be nonviolent in thought and action. 22. Love your fellow man. 23. Rely on the independent energy in the spine. 24. Observe the mind thinking. 25. Cultivate a contemplative nature by seeking the light. 26. Draw the lesson from each experience of life. 27. Detach awareness from its objects. 28. Identify with infinite intelligence, not body, mind or intellect. 29. Be aware in the eternal now, not in the past or the future. 30. Do not take advantage of trust or abuse credit. 31. Keep promises and confidences. 32. Restrain and direct desire. 33. Seek understanding through meditation. 34. Work with a spiritual discipline. 35. Think and speak only that which is true, kind, helpful and necessary. 36. Create a temple for the next generation by tithing. Maya "The Facts were all there, staring him full in the face. But what use is the right fact when the point of view is wrong?" PL Travers, Friend Monkey One Light, One Planet, One People PLEASE There is one light of the sun, though it is interrupted by walls, mountains and infinite other things. There is one Intelligent Soul, though it seems to be divided. All things are implicated with one another. The Spirit that bonds us all as One is holy. Everything on Earth, under the heavens, is connected with every other thing. All the different things in the world are co-ordinated and combined to make up the same universe. ~Marcus Aurelius (161-180 AD)~ Be the World at Peace "I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming..." ~Goethe~ Blessed Be Sophia High truth, unyielding order, consecration, ardor and prayer and holy ritual uphold the earth; may She, the ruling mistress of what has been and what will come to be, for us spread wide a limitless domain. Atharva Veda 12.1.1 Many Faces Speaks Gentleness is the nature of Soul; the nature of Spirit is strength. Explore the mansions of Soul to discover your depth, life's breadth, your true identity. In Spirit find your Father's wealth, your Mother's breath -- made over your true self. Gentleness is the Dove's wings flying with the Eagle's strength. I am Many Faces, opening the doors of Soul. Man's life is more than the days, the seasons, the years; it is lifetimes, worlds, dimensions beyond. The Soul is your existence, well of your incarnations, in this Universe the Milky Way. The many facets of Soul each a distinct person -- with memories, experiences, wisdoms. To become one -- in pasts, present and futures -- is to emerge souls into Spirit. Ascension is the task of everyone. Within the four manifest elements -- earth, air, fire, water -- the Soul stores the essence of all experience. The very life force of eons lies hidden in body and bones. Earth stores touch experience; Water is memory of all feelings; Fire is the flame of your thought; Air the aspirations of spirit. How then all humanity canst thou remember? The flame of Mercy, violet's color awakens these doorways; so, meditate and bathe in fires within. Our subtler elements that underlie creation --- even as quarks dance their fields -- ether, manna, essence are the substance of what we call "soul." The body is its seat, house of interaction and memory. Thus through word and tone our soul is fed; ethers dance to higher patterns of light. Through thought and prayer seraphic fires create gentleness in and around; manna clouds bring relief. Through silence, herbs and trance the kopavi is opened to celestial Breath; the Ocean of Creator renews our essence, love. In that which is subtle there is strength. I am Many Faces, cleansing the Soul. Now Spirit is the vastness of the kingdom of Heaven. Andromeda's council sits seated 'round Creator's gate, singing the fifth cord. Through this Spirit gate comes the Holy Spirit, Nagi Wakan, Tiwakiyena, the Dove. To all Universe, our service is abundance, healing, and love. Now, as Aquarius dawns influence from above as Universes collide: Become One. Even as Soul becomes Spirit, Andromeda and Milky Way merge as One. The lightning stroke and the burst of light will fill our cosmos with Ascension's Light. Prepare now for the photon wash: elements of soul will come alive. Prepare also for lightnings light; it is the spark initiating Soul:Spirit::Spirit:Soul. I am Ite Otapi, Many Faces, the Universal Soul. Mitakuye Oyasin Standing Elk/Golden Eagle standingelk1111@hotmail.com http://www.star-knowledge.net/ Centered in the Presence of Sophia Sweet Spirit, My prayer today is that I be aware of Your presence in each moment. May my thoughts, words and actions reflect this continuous connection between us. I depend on Your guidance to light my way. In this state of conscious awareness, I feel Your peace. Seasons change and circumstances come and go, but You are constant. I am never alone for You are with me always. I have nothing to fear. Today, I celebrate life in all its richness. You are the life I live. Alleluia! Amen Thank You, Ric Beattie (c) 2002 Ric Beattie www.richardbeattie.com Sophia as the Holy Soul There is one light of the sun, though it is interrupted by walls, mountains and infinite other things. There is one Intelligent Soul, though it seems to be divided. All things are implicated with one another. The Spirit that bonds us all as One is holy. Everything on Earth, under the heavens, is connected with every other thing. All the different things in the world are co-ordinated and combined to make up the same universe. Marcus Aurelius (161 - 180 AD) Sophia's Eternity Proverbs 8:22-36(KJV) 22 The Lord possessed me in the beginning of his way, before his works of old. 23 I was set up from everlasting, from the beginning or ever the earth was. 24 When there were no depths, I was brought forth; when there were no fountains abounding with water. 25 Before the mountains were settled , before the hills was I brought forth: 26 While as yet he had not made the earth, nor the fields, nor the highest part of the dust of the world, 27 When he prepared the heavens, I was there: when he set a compass upon the face of the depth: 28 When he established the clouds above: when he strengthened the fountains of the deep: 29 When he gave to the sea his decree, that the waters should not pass his commandment: when he appointed the foundations of the earth: 30 Then I was by him, as one brought up with him: and I was daily his delight, rejoicing always before him; 31 Rejoicing in the habitable part of his earth; and my delights were with the sons of men. 32 Now therefore harken unto me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep my ways. 33 Hear instruction, and be wise, and refuse it not. 34 Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors. 35 For whoso findeth me, findeth life, and shall obtain favor of the Lord. 36 But he that sinneth against me wrongeth his own soul: all they that hate me love death. Quan Yin Speaks to the World: "Release Your heart of all that is not Love!" Wisdom. Sophia. Let Us Be Attentive. Forsake Her not, and She shall preserve thee. Love Her, and She shall keep thee. Sophia is the principal thing; therefore get Sophia And with all thy getting get understanding. Exalt Her and She shall promote thee. She shall bring thee to honour, when thou dost embrace Her. She shall give to thine head an ornament of Grace. A crown of glory She shall deliver to thee. Hear, oh my child, and receive my sayings And the years of they life shall be many. I have taught thee in the way of Sophia. I have led thee in right paths. When thou goest, thy steps shall not be straited, And when thou runnest, thou shalt not stumble. Take fast hold of instruction. Let Her not go, for She is thy life! Proverbs 4:6-13 Sophia of the Seven Graces I bless mySelf this day with the blessings of Sophia. Among the hills and on the plains She meets me. Beside the well and in the ocean She greets me. Fire within the water is Sophia: Fire of Healing be in me. Fire of strong Will be behind me. Fire of Wisdom be before me. Fire of Love be all around me. Sophia of the Seven Graces I name You: Grace of Eye Grace of Voice Grace of Hand Grace of Carriage Grace of Courage Grace of Listening Grace of Giving that Graces all it touches. Sophia, I bless you as you have blessed me this day. I remember You as You have remembered me always. anonymous Homage to Tara: the Twenty-one Praises and Images OM! Homage to the holy and noble Tara! Homage, TARE, quick one, heroine, removing terror with TUTTARE, savioress, granting all aims with TURE, the syllables SVAHA: to you I bow! Homage, Tara, quick one, heroine. whose eyes flash like lightning, born from the opening corolla of the lotus face of the Lord of the triple world. 1. Homage, Lady whose face is filled with a hundred autumn moons, blazing with the laughing beams of the hosts of a thousand stars. 2. Homage, Lady whose hand is adorned with a lotus, a lotus blue and gold whose field of practice is charity, striving, austerity, calm, acceptance, and meditation. 3. Homage, Lady abiding in infinite victory in the crown knot of the Tathagatha served by the sons of the Conqueror who have attained every single perfection. 4. Homage, Lady who fills all quarters of space with the sounds of Tuttare and Hum, trampling the seven worlds with her feet, able to summon all before her. 5. Homage, Lady worshiped by Indra, Agni, Brahma, by the Maruts and Vishveshvara, honored by hosts of spirits, of ghost, celestials, and the walking dead. 6. Homage, Lady who destroys the magic devices of others with the sounds of TRAT and P'HAT, trampling with right foot up and left extended blazing with a blazing mass of fire. 7. Homage, Lady who annihilates the heroes of Mara, TURE, the terrible lady, slaying all enemies by frowning the brows of her lotus face. 8. Homage, Lady holding her hand over her breast with a gesture that symbolizes the Three Jewels, her palms adorned with the universal wheel radiating a turbulent host of its beams. 9. Homage, Lady whose diadem spreads a garland of shining and happy beams, subjugating Mara and the world with a laughing, mocking, TUTTARE! 10. Homage, Lady able to summon before her all the hosts of protectors of the earth, saving from all distress by the movement of her frowning brows and the sound of HUM ! 11. Homage, Lady whose diadem is a crescent moon blazing with all its ornaments, ever lit by the beams of Amitabha in her piled hair. 12. Homage, Lady placed amidst a garland that blazes like the fire at the end of the world era, annihilating the army of the enemy in her joyous posture of royal ease. 13. Homage, Lady who strikes the earth with her hand, who pounds upon it with her feet, shattering the seven worlds with the sound of HUM made by her frowning brows. 14. Homage, Lady blissful, virtuous, calm, whose field of practice is calm nirvana, possessed of SVAHA and OM, destroying great sins. 15. Homage, Lady who shatters the bodies of enemies, in her joyous posture, the savioress manifested from HUM, in the mantra arraying the sound of ten syllables. 16. Homage Lady who strikes with the feet of TURE, whose seed is in the form of the syllable HUM, shaking Mount Meru, Mandara, Kailasha, and all the triple world. 17. Homage, Lady holding the deer-marked moon in the form of an ocean of gods, dispelling all poison with the sound of P'HAT and twice-spoken TARA. 18. Homage, Lady served by the ruler of hosts of gods, by the gods and horse-headed celestials, dispelling contention and bad dreams with the brilliance of her joyous armor. 19. Homage, Lady in whose eyes is the brilliant light of the sun and the full moon, dispelling terrible fevers, with TUTTARE and twice-spoken HARA. 20. Homage, Lady endowed with the strength of calm by the array of the three truths, [OM AH HUM] destroying the hosts of evil spirits, the walking dead, TURE, most excellent lady ! 21. This is the praise with the basic mantra, and these are the twenty-one homages. Translation as found in The Cult of Tara by S. Beyer, pps. 211-214 Merging with Sophia Holy Sophia, you reveal yourself to me. You are my Mother, Divine Mother of the Mothers. I am your child. Come unto me. Come into to me. Be with me. Be in me. Become me. You are the air that i breathe and are in me; You are the fire, earth, water that are me. You have become me and now i am ready, Your servant and child. Lead me to Light. ceighbree I Bow to the Light From the depths of my being flows a luminescent light, It is the light of eternal grace. I am blessed to be a vessel through which the light can manifest. The light is the presence of the all-that-is, It is formless yet everything exists within it. It is abundant, all pervading and omnipresent, Its radiation is far reaching, unbounded and limitless. It is the source of all knowledge, pure and profound. I bow to the light in me, I bow to the light in you, May the light reign forth and glorious blessings be bestowed. Maggie Erotokritou Refuge i take refuge in Sophia/Tara, Sweet One the Divine Mother of All, the Noble Lady, Perfection of Wisdom i take refuge in the teachings i have been given, the teachings of all the world's religions which honor the Divine Feminine which will be born anew in this time and this place i take refuge in the community that which supports and sustains me and that which stimulates me to be evermore in Her Service and to Her Glory Thank you Donna Uehara for sharing your special experience of the Tibetan Buddhist Refuge Prayer Sophia, Bestower of Blessings Merciful Mother of beings emerging within all experience, empower our eyes to see Your beauty and open our hearts to receive Your compassion. May insight into Your mysterious language dawn on me completely. May I develop such power that worshiping You incessantly becomes a habit. Thank you Douglas Buchanan for creating this from a traditional Tara and Siva/Shakti prayer Wisdom's Way: Beloved Sophia Bless me, my Beloved Sophia Gift me with your presence. Bless me, Sophia So that I may be a blessing to all I greet. Bless me, Sophia So that my eyes reflect the glorious radiance of your Being. Bless me, Sophia So that the words of my mouth awaken the memory of your song. Bless me, Sophia So that my ears hear the soft whisperings of your will. Bless me, Sophia So that I may become your healing hand. Bless me, Sophia So that my thoughts birth your vision. Bless me, Sophia So that I have the courage to be at Thee. Sophia, Blesses me. I am blessed. Blessed be. Rosslyn Dawson Sophia: The Wisdom of Solomon Sophia is the Supreme Spirit devoted to the good of all people She shines bright in the gloom of ignorance; She is unfading; She is easily seen by those who love her; easily found by those who look for Her, And quickly does She come to those who seek Her help. One who rises early, intent on finding Her, will not grow weary of the quest, For one day he will find Her seated in his own heart. To set all one's thoughts on Her is true Wisdom. And to be ever aware of Her is the sure way to perfect peace. For Sophia Herself goes about in search of those who are worthy of Her. With every step She comes to guide them; in every thought She comes to meet them... The true beginning of spiritual life is the desire to know Sophia. A desire to know Her brings one to love Her. Loving Her enables one to follow Her will. Following Her will is the sure path to immortality. And immortality is oneness with God. The Wisdom of Solomon
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