Good afternoon, Chaverim,
I came upon this prayer from Larry Yang and thought you might all enjoy it and be as intrigued and inspired by it as I am.
Here is today’s Gratitude Thought in the Middle of a Pandemic:
“May I be loving, open, and aware in this moment;
If I cannot be loving, open, and aware in this moment, may I be kind;
If I cannot be kind, may I be nonjudgmental;
If I cannot be nonjudgmental, may I not cause harm;
If I cannot not cause harm, may I cause the least harm.”
Larry Yang
At first glance, I thought that this was quite a heartfelt, lovely prayer…and it is…it’s the sincere expression of someone who clearly strives to be a force for good in the world. It is also the voice of someone who knows that he has the capacity to be “loving,” “open,” “aware,” “kind” and “non-judgmental” and that the way he chooses to interact with others in any given moment truly makes a difference in the world!
I recognize that there are times when it is very difficult (and maybe even self-defeating or even unsafe?) to act from our souls, from that place deep within us all that is filled with loving, open awareness and kindness…times when the best we can do is “cause the least harm”. But, as I reread this prayer and did some more thinking about it, I could not help but wonder if we work hard enough to act from that place of holiness and, instead, too easily give up and give in, acting habitually, without awareness or thought, sliding without resistance across the line from loving kindness and non-judgment to “causing the least harm.”
We work so hard to be “successful,” to get that “A,” to accomplish that goal, to earn that bonus. But, I really do wonder if we might pay more attention, and put forth a comparable, genuine effort, to be more open, loving, kind and non-judgmental?? And, what would happen if we did????
So…..I really do love this prayer, and gratefully appreciate and gladly share its beautiful message and intention with you. And to its inspiring message, I add my own hope and prayer that we may all do our very best, that we all strive to be “loving, open and aware”… in this precious moment, and the next, and all the moments thereafter.
Shabbat Shalom,
Marci
