Week 1 Day 2 (A)

Today's Mantra

THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS WITHIN YOU.

"A man contains all that is needful to his government within himself...All real good or evil that can befall him must be from himself...There is a correspondence between the human soul and everything that exists in the world; more properly, everything that is known to man. Instead of studying things without, the principles of them all may be penetrated into from within him...The purpose of life seems to be to acquaint man with himself...The highest revelation is that God is in every man."

Ralph Waldo Emerson, Journal, 1833

Learn by experience

I've only done one mantra this morning (with my significant other) and have already learned quite a bit. I'm obviously new at this so I imagine it will take some tweaking to get it working smoothly. Lucky you... get to learn from my experience (if you want).

What's going to work for me might not work for you

I shared the thought with my mate this morning then gave the mantra (THE LEAST SHALL BE THE GREATEST). They gave me some good feedback... mostly that it didn't help them feel at peace, more like they were feeling insufficient. And to top that off, there was a question as to what was at the root of the mantra. "I want to be great, so I'll be the least...but still, I want to be great." That paradox wasn't quite working, and I can see why. I'll work on making the mantras more "inspiring." If, however, you are participating in this exercise with me, and a mantra doesn't ring your bell, then feel free to replace it with your own (and then maybe share with me what it is).

Distractions, distractions!

As I did the mantra this morning, I noticed equipment noises outside, kids running around the house looking for Mom and Dad, but most distracting of all? MY STOMACH GROWLING! I think tomorrow I'll try turning on a water feature to dull the distracting noises. If that doesn't work, I'll get some soft music in the background.

Cadence

I can see why most mantras are done in Sanskrit. As I breath in and out (especially at the beginning), I tend to attach parts of the mantra to in inhale, and parts to the exhale. If there is no natural break, or it doesn't fit well, then it ends up feeling forced, and counterproductive. Again, more thought needs to go into it. I'm learning!

Health

Having my head stuffed up certainly does not make things easier. Is some work at force trying to stop me from doing this? It almost succeeded. Almost....

Week 1 Day 1 (B)

It was pride that changed angels into devils' it is humility that makes men as angels.
Saint Augustine

Week 1 Day 1 (A)

Today's Mantra

THE LEAST ARE THE GREATEST

Mark 10:17-23 (emphasis and commentary added)

17 And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?

18 And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God. (The Son of God would NOT take any credit at all!)

19 Thou knowest the commandments, Do not commit adultery, Do not kill, Do not steal, Do not bear false witness, Defraud not, Honour thy father and mother.

20 And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.

21 Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

22 And he was sad at that saying, and went away grieved: for he had great possessions.

23 And Jesus looked round about, and saith unto his disciples, How hardly shall they that have riches (or in other words, our idols... distractions created by our own hands) enter into the kingdom of God!

Here we go.

Sometimes as I'm walking somewhere, for no good reason I'll look down to see what rocks lay about. Without fail, almost every time there is one within my view that is interesting. As I pick it up, I will think, "I'm sure this is the first time human hands have touched this rock. And yet there it is, sitting  in all it's loveliness, having sat for eons waiting to share with me." I enjoy the colors, the textures, the shapes and weight in my hand of a good rock. And even if it is dull on the outside, a little spit and rub on my jeans and it's good to go. I don't collect these rocks, because if I did, there would be a pile ten feet deep in my basement. Besides, there is always another rock just waiting to be discovered.

Let's face it, no one is reading this, and chances are it will go by unnoticed. This will be like a little rock that just sits there. You know what, that's perfectly great. I'd prefer it remain that way. My experience, though, is that the human race (and everything on the earth, for that matter) is so interconnected, that there will be some who stumble upon the this blog and find it useful. If so, God bless you in your journey. If it is anything like mine, there is wonder at every turn.

My plan is to start posting these mantras and thoughts next week, along with a personal experience here and there (explaining why I'm doing this in the first place). I'm a newbie to this stuff, so it will be a fun ride, I'm sure. I will also begin my prayer/mantra experience in earnest at that time. It's so nice to be able to procrastinate (I'm a master at that for sure).