Sacred Witness

blogging, challenge, poetry, spirituality, , , , , , , 22 Comments

Illness affords me time,
and time begs observation.

Used to think that if I prayed enough,
was enlightened enough, I could call upon
the presence of a divine spirit to intervene,
change the course of suffering.

Now, I know that we are not called upon
to alter God’s plans, control not within
our mortal hands, but we are commanded

to observe, and in that observation
to be witness to a presence
that is already here.

***

This week’s focus was presence. I have continued my practice of mindfulness, offering up a prayer and then setting aside all other distractions in order to be fully present during my nature outings. Today’s poem came to me in one of those outings.

Thank you to all who participated this week. Your responses delighted and surprised me, and a few even moved me to tears.

Reena Saxena
Proscenium
Stuff and what if…
Sgeoil
AWISEWOMANSJOURNEY
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parallax

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Permission to write, paint, and imagine are the gifts I gave myself when chronic illness hit - a fair exchange: being for doing. Relevance is an attitude. Humour essential.

22 thoughts on “Sacred Witness”

  3. Beautiful clouds!!
    Wise poem. To witness a presence already here … there is sooo much swirling around us not noticed, let alone truly witnessed. Your words encourage slowing down, an appealing shift of pace.

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  4. “Used to think that if I prayed enough,
    was enlightened enough, I could call upon
    the presence of a divine spirit to intervene,
    change the course of suffering.”…

    VJ, these lines gave me chills…there is so many to contemplate upon here

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  5. “Used to think that if I prayed enough,
    was enlightened enough, I could call upon
    the presence of a divine spirit to intervene,
    change the course of suffering.”………….these words are ones that I felt deep into my soul……….thank you for writing such touching words, they made me understood. God bless you.

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  7. I get the sense from your poem that mindfulness brings some peace. But does it sacrifice hope in the process of acceptance? I struggle with that…balance? And I admire your perseverance with the process.
    Nature outings have so much to offer us too. 🙂

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      1. Yes, acceptance and hope can co-exist. I’ve been there in my darkest times. With hope, one witnesses the presence, with different eyes. Without hope, one gives up. My thoughts. 🙂

        Liked by 2 people

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