There are thousands and thousands of words of formal prayers and prayer books. There are so many words — too many words — yet there can never be enough words!
The most important words in prayer are your words! The most important prayerbook is your heart! Everything else is simply extra!
Whether we know it or not, we all pray. We all have a prayer!
When you open your eyes and see the world, what is your prayer? When you close your eyes and see the world, what is your prayer?
“What a Prayer Is”
The Summer Day [excerpts] by Mary Oliver [II] don't always know what a prayer is. I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass, how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields, which is what I have been doing all day. Tell me, what else should I have done? Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon? Tell me, what is your plan to do with your one and precious life?
Paying attention, kneeling in the grass, being idle and blessed, strolling though the fields… how do you pray?
What is Your Prayer?
Prayer is extraordinary, yet nothing special. Your entire life is prayer!
When you wake up in the morning, kiss your loved one, brush your teeth, wash your face and body, relieve your bowels, drink your morning coffee, get dressed for work, and go about your day, remember… this is prayer!
There is a Zen expression, “Ordinary mind (heart) is the Way.” In this way, our ordinary life is a prayer… a rich and wonderful prayer.
Tell, what else is there to do? What is your plan to do with your one and precious life?
Next Steps
Feel free to learn more information abut the Yom Kippur Zen Mindfulness Jewish Meditation Retreat in Los Angeles on September 25, 2023. Registration is currently open here!
Save the date for our daylong Rosh Hashanah Zen Mindfulness Meditation Retreat. It will be held on Sunday, September 17, 2023 in the Bay Area, CA. Stay tuned for registration details!
As always, if you are interested in learning more about Jewish Mindfulness Meditation or how to create a more meaningful spiritual path for you and your loved ones, please make sure to sign up and click the “Stay Connected Now!” button below!
Mindful Judaism is pleased to offer daylong Jewish meditation and mindfulness retreats, shabbatons (weekend workshops), and other live and in person events throughout California and beyond.
If you are interested in bringing Mindful Judaism to your community, synagogue, or meditation group, please contact us at adam@mindfuljudaism.com for more information and to make arrangements.
Adam Fogel
www.mindfuljudaism.com