SoulTending.com

The following is a description of a talk
that will be held at the Sufi Conference in California
on October 19th 2008 by Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee

When your heart sees Reality,
Then every atom of creation is a window of His house.

The mystical path is a journey into the unknown. Through the grace of the tradition we give ourselves to this mystery: we welcome both the darkness and the light, and learn to live with the vulnerability of the heart. And from the depths of the unknown, the beauty and power of the divine is born within ourselves and within the world.

“We worry over the past,
we anticipate the future,
and we barely perceive
a shred of the passing moment.”

The Dalai Lama

By Petra Prensky

Let me be known
As the belly hugger
Who leaves you satisfied
More deeply, than the best
Gourmet meal ever would.

Let me be known
As the dancer
Who shares in the
Deepness of soul
And leaves, herself speechless.

Let me be known
As the beloved friend
Free as a butterfly
Yet solid and present
As a rock.

Let me be known
As your mirror
Who reflects and absorbs
Your deepest heart’s desires,
and keeps them safe.

For as long as space endures
and for as long as living beings remain
until then may I too abide
to dispel the misery of the world.

By Shantideva

By Geshe Langri Thangpa

By thinking of all sentient beings
As more precious than a wish-fulfilling jewel
For accomplishing the highest aim,
I will always hold them dear.

Whenever I’m in the company of others,
I will regard myself as the lowest among all,
And from the depths of my heart
Cherish others as supreme.

In my every action, I will watch my mind,
And the moment destructive emotions arise,
I will confront them strongly and avert them,
Since they will hurt both me and others.

Whenever I see ill-natured people,
Or those overwhelmed by heavy misdeeds or suffering,
I will cherish them as something rare,
As though I’d found a priceless treasure.

Whenever someone out of envy
Does me wrong by attacking or belittling me,
I will take defeat upon myself,
And give the victory to others.

Even when someone I have helped,
Or in whom I have placed great hopes
Mistreats me very unjustly,
I will view that person as a true spiritual teacher.

In brief, directly or indirectly,
I will offer help and happiness to all my mothers,
And secretly take upon myself
All their hurt and suffering.

I will learn to keep all these practices
Untainted by thoughts of the eight worldly concerns.
May I recognize all things as like illusions,
And, without attachment, gain freedom from bondage.

Lord, make me an instrument of thy peace.

Where there is hatred, let me sow love,
Where there is injury, pardon,
Where there is doubt, faith,
Where there is despair, hope,
Where there is darkness, light,
Where there is sadness, joy.

O divine master, grant that I may
Not so much seek.
To be consoled as to console,
To be understood as to understand,
To be loved as to love.

For it is in giving that we receive,
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
It is in dying that we are born to eternal life.

Saint Francis of Assisi (1181-1226)

We all go through difficult times. Share your favorite prayer here, so that others may find strength from it as well.