Learning to Pray
of mystics, martyrs and other fanatics
mad enough to confound themselves
with G_d, and declare it, free of ego
Those spiritually reckless creatures
contemptuous of all rule books,
traffic signs and speeding tickets—
in such a hurry were they to arrive
No social drinkers, these revelers
they drank to get drunk, alone
that they might stay that way,
—sobriety being the only sin…
But, what of us without stamina
for such superhuman attention
or the patience to stand in line,
inching towards the checkout
Might we forge our own language
(until we can speak in tongues)
by asking of our every action
does this, or that, please You?
© Yahia Lababidi
This is absolutely phenomenal. Every word perfect. 👏👏👏👏 I wonder sometimes if we will run out of beautiful combinations, and then I'm always promptly shown that no, in fact, we will not ✌❤
My whole heart’s in it, thank you, for hearing it with yours. ❤️ Poetry is prayer, thus, inexhaustible ... ✨🙏🏼💫
I'm afraid I'm no stranger to heresy, recklessness, or revelry - embracing each and all of them at one point or another... Impatience is certainly the underlying theme. I like to think I'm a lot calmer and more reasonable these days :)
There's a poem in every stanza here, like looking through a kaleidoscope of human experience. The hurry to arrive, the inching towards the checkout - our insecurities and anxieties captured perfectly.
I’m guilty of all you list above, my friend—mostly, on account of impatience & boredom, too.
But, in the case of the mystics (that I’m fawning over, here) I marvel at how they are branded heretics by the uncomprehending, while they observed a higher law.
To the literalists, one set of rules applies, but to ecstatics, who can say what is permitted. Love and do as you will, says St Augustine, a truth echoed by all lovers (as the Sufis refer to themselves).
Might we forge our own language
(until we can speak in tongues)
by asking of our every action
does this, or that, please You?
A wonderful poem of spiritual seeking.
I do not pray but rather to spend time in no-thought, usually out in nature. I find if one is truly present, all her prayers are answered and desires diminished. Then she may be at one; be at peace and see creation at its most beautiful. Perhaps then ... she can hear the divine speak to her, mostly it is just a feeling. Speech is not necessary. Namaste, Yahia:)
Yes, speech is not necessary. I believe that our most profound prayers do not reach our tongue, as they are made with our entire being.
As you say, it’s a matter of attention. Peace 🙏🏼
:)
All these religions can be so confusing, I was raised in the christian church but it just never appealed to me. Now my church is going into nature and absorbing the vibes. My prayers are usually done there verbally and mentally. I always seek to understand various religions and take what I like about them and make it my own. I don't know what that makes me:)
'Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground.' —Rumi
Peace, brother
_/|\_I always find it hard to pray but I keep good morals
Learning to pray always is the best in the life as the life problems is half solved already. Ramadan is on the way now for Muslims faithfull,more prayer less play around.