Spirituality & Practice

The First and the Last, we pray that you might help us deal with one of the most widespread and authentic fears of seniors and their families –the fear of aging alone with no one close to help them.

Article: According to "Living, and Dying, at Home" by Alana Samuels in The Atlantic, by 2050, one-fifth of the total U.S. population – about 88 million people – will be 65 and older. Many of them will want to continuing living in their homes, arrangements that could save the families and the government billions of dollars in the cost of other living situations. But this means that those who live in the neighborhood will have to take time to help long-lived people by taking them grocery shopping or to doctors' appointments, that youth spend some time visiting with them, and that others provide care to the aged and infirm. Another option is a network of seniors who live at home but participate in activities together, share service providers such as home-care aides and plumbers, and volunteer to help each other handle errands. There are more than 150 of these "Villages" already set up in cities around the world.

God of All Generations, give us the empathy and compassion to square off with the challenges that face the growing number of elders. May we work on plans to insure that as many seniors as possible can keep living at home. Guide, direct, and sustain those who provide care to elders now that they may train others for the future. Help neighborhoods and communities put services and programs in place that will serve elders, enabling them not only to survive but to thrive thanks to the help of others. May we see each other as an extended family.

God Who Breaks Chains, we pray for all animals who suffer and feel pain because so many humans have never bothered to consider the question of animal rights. Help us to see that these creatures have a value separate from their usefulness to humans. And let us be more attentive and empathetic to their pleasure, fear, frustration, loneliness, parental love, and grief.

REPORT: 32% of Americans think that animals should have the same protection from exploitation and harm as people, up from 25% in 2008. 62% think animals should have some rights. (Gallup Poll)

Wise and Faithful Guide, forgive us our lack of interest in the suffering of animals and the cruelty they have experienced at our hands in laboratories, cages, tanks, and factory farms. We lament the grief caused when animals are separated from their communities. We grieve the deaths of animals due to hunting them for sport. Give us the wisdom and the courage to stand up for the rights of animals. May we treat our fellow creatures with respect and reverence.

Update: Another earthquake, magnitufe-7.3, struck Nepal on May 12.

A devastating magnitude-7.8 earthquake struck Nepal on Saturday, April 25, that was also felt in India and Tibet. Another powerful magnitude-6.7 aftershock happened on Sunday, April 26. It is the Himalayan regions worst quake in more than 80 years. More than 8,000 deaths have been confirmed. Thousands of homes and buildings have been destroyed. An avalanche triggered by the quake trapped climbers on Mount Everest.

The Interdependence Project shared a statement from His Holiness the Gyalwang Drukpa, a global humanitarian and friend: "During these dark times, the smallest gesture of kindness can be a great source of light." We are including three practices they recommend after our own prayer.

And so we pray this news . . .

Lord, in your tenderness hold close those
who have lost loved ones in the
earthquake in the Himalayan region.
Wipe away the tears of those who have lost homes,
possessions, and pets in this tragedy.
Send helpers and wise counselors to offer
support and encouragement to the victims everywhere,
especially those who are in hospitals and shelters.

Lord, in your power bring hope out of the despair
which the people in Nepal must be feeling.
Give them the strength and the courage to
weather the long storm of recovery and personal renewal.
For those who are homeless, grant them a new place
to live and work to help them flourish.
For those children separated from their parents.
give them shelter with people who care.

Help us, Lord of Connections, to feel empathy
with our suffering brothers and sisters in the Himalayan region.
Open our hearts and minds to keep them in our prayers
as they traverse the long hard road to recovery.

- Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Compassion Practices

These practices are suggested by the Interdependence Project. They note: "Whatever your practice is, it is most important to remain open and willing to be present with the confusion and fear that may arise for you. In doing so, you'll be able to be open and receptive to the sufferings of others, and your clarity will allow you to act from your truest intentions."

Green Tara Practice: Lama Tsultrim Alione and Tara Mandala are starting a campaign of 100,000 Green Tara mantras for the victims of the Nepal earthquake. The mantra is OM TARE TUTARE TURE SWA HA. As you say it aloud or under your breath visualize yourself as Green Tara sending out infinite numbers of Green Taras, these are streaming wherever they are needed to rapidly save those buried or injured and to guide the dead from the Kathmandu earthquake. Start as soon as possible. Green Tara is known for her rapid response. Post your numbers on Tara Mandala Retreat Center.

Metta Practice: Lovingkindness meditation is the cultivation of a steady, unconditional sense of connection that touches all beings without exception. Practicing Metta allows us to connect with the sufferings and joys of all beings without turning away out of pity, or becoming overwhelmed by despair.

Tibetan Prayers: Lama Zopa Rinpoche and the FPMT has posted prayers and instructions to do for the sake of those dealing with this great disaster.

Source of Life, we are sorry for being so careless with our plastic bags, bottle caps, water bottles, and Styrofoam cups. We have played a lamentable part in harming and even causing the death of sea turtles, seals, and other marine mammals. Forgive us for our selfish obsession with pleasing ourselves and paying no attention to the consequences of our actions.

Report: An article in National Geographic charts the growth of garbage accumulations in the ocean. The largest is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. No one knows how much debris makes up this swirling vortex since not all trash floats to the surface. About 80% comes from land-based activities in North America and Asia. The remaining 20% comes from boaters, offshore oil rigs, and large cargo ships that dump or lose debris into the water.

The most toxic thing in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is plastic from bags, bottle caps, water bottles, and Styrofoam cups. They do not biodegrade but instead break into small pieces. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch puts many marine animals at risk who eat the plastic mistaking it for food. In addition, this trash blocks the sunlight from reaching plankton and algae below. (National Geographic Education
section). Mother of the Ocean, enable us to have the patience and the will power to end our personal dependence on disposable plastic. Help us to support individuals and businesses in their efforts to eliminate these products which harm the planet.

We ask for your mercy, Lover of Humanity, for our complicity in making 2014 a year of "historic failure" of human rights. All too often we have been so wrapped up and consumed by our work and family life that we have turned away from the humanitarian and refugee crises around the world. Forgive us for this spiritual irresponsibility as global citizens and give us the moral and ethical strength and courage to change our ways.

REPORT: In its annual report Amnesty International characterized 2014 as a low in human rights. It was "devastating" for civilians caught in the cross-hairs of war, and governments "failed miserably" to protect those most in need. "Government leaders have justified horrific human rights violations by talking of the need to keep the country 'safe'," states the report. "In reality, the opposite is the case. Such violations are one important reason why we live in such a dangerous world today. There can be no security without human rights." Amnesty International cites such events as the ongoing crisis in Syria, Israel's war against Gaza, the rise of non-state aggressors such as the Islamic State and Boko Haram, the Ukrainian conflict, and disappearances in Mexico as the more significant conflicts of the year. It says millions of citizens were killed last year while the number of displaced people around the world exceeded 50 million for the first time since the end of World War II. (commondreams.org)

See accompanying video . . .

Holy God of Openness and Peace, our hearts are broken as we mourn the deaths of three Muslim university students who were shot to death in their home in North Carolina. Their faith led Deah Barakat (23), his wife Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha (21), and her sister Razan Abu-Salha (19) to serve humanity from the inner cities of North Carolina to Syrian and Palestinian refugee camps. May their family, friends, and community know that we share their grief over the loss of these beautiful ones.

We also ask you to watch over the soul of their neighbor, Craig Stephen Hicks, the violent and angry man who is being held for the murders. There are conflicting reports as to his motivation for this crime, but whatever the investigation reveals, it reminds us of the too-often deadly consequences of religious hate and bigotry.

REPORT: Hate crimes against Muslims in the United States skyrocketed after the September 11, 2001 attacks. In the last few years, specifically anti-Muslim crimes have made up about 13 or 14 percent of hate crimes considered to be committed with a religious bias. That amounts to nearly 100 anti-Islam hate crimes each year from 2011 to 2013, according to FBI data. (Harrison McClary for Reuters)

O Lover of Diversity and Freedom, nurture within us a love and respect for all the world's religions and help us to be active and effective spokespersons for the freedom of religions everywhere.
Amen.

Our friends in the Groundswell Movement are inviting people to send prayers and messages of solidarity to the Muslim community to show that we reject the hateful actions of this shooter and stand with them.

Click here to send a message.

Dear Evolving God, we are so grateful that you love creativity and are still making masterpieces: the universe is a work in progress. Help us to see and appreciate the diversity, beauty, and transformative powers of all the arts as they lift our spirits and send us on our way rejoicing.

REPORT: The National Endowment of the Arts states that there has been a decline in attendance at both the visual and performing arts. When people were asked why they ended up staying home, they cited lack of time, inaccessibility of arts venues, having nobody to go with them, and ticket prices. This "missing audience" make up 13% of the population or 31 million Americans. Another factor that may explain the decline in attendance is the rise of the smartphone and e-reader. As of 2012, only 33 percent of American adults attended one of the "benchmark" arts – classical music, opera, theatre, ballet, or visits to an art museum or gallery. (Pacific Standard Magazine)

Lover of Beauty, help us to remember the magic moments when we were deeply stirred by a music concert or exhibit. Encourage us to avail ourselves of these soul-building events. Send your creative spirit to assist arts organizations as they try to find new and convincing ways to attract their missing audiences.

O Loving One, Ya Wadud, we grieve with the parents, family, and friends of the 12 people who were killed at the offices of the French satirical newspaper Charlie Hebdo on January 7, 2015, by two French Muslim brothers presumed to want to punish the magazine for blasphemy over its depictions of the Prophet Muhammad. Comfort all those who have been touched and conflicted by this horrific event.

REPORT: "At least 12 people have been killed in a shooting attack on a French satirical magazine in Paris. Witnesses say masked gunmen entered the offices of the magazine, Charlie Hebdo, and opened fire. The dead include four cartoonists and two police officers. The magazine Charlie Hebdo has drawn multiple threats for its caricatures of the Prophet Muhammad. In 2012, the magazine’s cartoon depicting Muhammad in pornographic poses helped spark protests across the Middle East. The outcry forced France to close embassies and other official sites in 20 countries. Charlie Hebdo has repeatedly claimed it publishes the cartoons as a defender of free expression and against religious extremism." (DemocracyNow.org)

Peacemaker, give us the patience, the wisdom, and the empathy to discern the teachable moments from this tragedy. It has given rise to widespread expressions of support for free speech and against censorship and violence against journalists, cartoonists, satirists, and others. At the same time, we lament the fact that these murders have spawned a new wave of charges that all Muslims are fundamentalists and terrorists.

We ask for your guidance as we try to discern when the media is exercising its freedom of speech and when it is inciting hatred and division. We seek understanding of what it means to truly respect the beliefs of the faithful, including what is considered to be blasphemy and an insult to revered teachers and prophets. Finally, with sorrow and fear that the end result of this incendiary incident will only be greater Islamophobia, we vow to stand up against religious and secular violence and to advocate a deeper exploration and appreciation of the spiritual practice of reverence.

Hope for the World, we pray that you might break the chains of hatred, prejudice, and fear that keep people enslaved to the violence that almost destroyed the United States during the Civil War and still poisons hearts and minds today.

POLL: Carrie Dann reports that a majority of Americans now say that race relations in the United States are bad, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll, which showed the most pessimistic assessment of racial issues in almost two decades.

In the wake of protests over the deaths of unarmed black men at the hands of police, just four in ten Americans told pollsters that they believe race relations in the United States are "good," while 57 percent disagreed. And nearly a quarter, 23 percent, classified the current state of the country's racial issues as "very bad."

Dayspring from On High, our best hope for remaining human and for passing on a legacy of peace to future generations requires us to convert our disposition toward hostility to a disposition toward kindness. Give us the strength and the courage to devote the full energy of our imagination and will to finding ways for people of all races, religions, and economic backgrounds to live in harmony and peace with justice for all.

O Loving One, Ya Wadud, we grieve with the parents, family, and friends of the 145 school children who were murdered at their school in Peshawar, Pakistan, by the Taliban, on December 15, 2014. May these innocents rest in peace surrounded by your loving presence.

News report: The New York Times reports that the Pakistani Taliban has claimed responsibility for this attack, saying it was revenge for violence by the government against their families and women. It is part of the larger campaign by this terrorist group to try to overturn the Pakistani government and establish a religious state.

Divine Parent, protect all the children whose lives are in peril around the world: children trapped in war zones; the young boys in Africa and elsewhere who are kidnapped and forced to become child soldiers; the little girls who are raped and forced into sex slavery; runaway children and others who are living on the streets because they have no homes; children who have lost arms and legs to land mines; and the thousands who have been wounded and killed as "peripheral damage" in the war on terrorism. Help us to find ways to keep them and their families safe.