Theme/Mantra: “The Dark night is not endless. Breathe life into this feeble heart.”
Reading:
When Death Comes-By Mary Oliver
When death comes
like the hungry bear in autumn;
when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse
to buy me, and snaps the purse shut;
when death comes
like the measle-pox;
when death comes
like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,
I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering:
what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?
And therefore I look upon everything
as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,
and I look upon time as no more than an idea,
and I consider eternity as another possibility,
and I think of each life as a flower, as common
as a field daisy, and as singular,
and each name a comfortable music in the mouth,
tending, as all music does, toward silence,
and each body a lion of courage, and something
precious to the earth.
When it's over, I want to say: all my life
I was a bride married to amazement.
I was the bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.
When it's over, I don't want to wonder
if I have made of my life something particular, and real.
I don't want to find myself sighing and frightened,
or full of argument.
I don't want to end up simply having visited this world.
—Mary Oliver
Meditation:
I encourage you to listen to the song by Loreena Mckennitt- and allow your body to breathe into her voice.
Breathe deeply as you listen.
Focus on Empowerment. On hope. On the truth of your life.
Physical Movement:
Proud Warrior (or Warrior Two)
We begin with Triangle Pose from Day Nine
Triangle
Stand with your feet about three feet apart.
Turn your left foot out 90 degrees and our right foot in about 30 degrees.
Inhale and stretch your arms out from the shoulders, hips forward and bend to the LEFT.
Rest your left arm on the shin of your left leg.
Extend your other arm straight up toward the ceiling, looking up at your thumb if you can.
Hold for several breaths.
Release, rest and do the same pose on the other side.
Now bend your left knee, forming a right angle with your calf and thigh, your left thigh being parallel to the floor.
Turn your head and gaze over your left hand.
Bend at the waist and bring the fingertips of your left hand to the floor, outside of your left foot.
Extend your right arm above your head, creating a straight line between your right hand and your left foot.
Hold for several breaths.
Release your hands.
Straighten your upper body, and then your left leg.
Repeat on the right side.
Reflections:
The voice and music of Loreena have been singing in my soul for over 20 years. I walked down the aisle for my wedding to “Dark Night of the Soul” (words by St. John of the Cross). She captures the soul with hauntings and beauty and hope.
As Mary does with words and images. Capturing possibilities and aspirations.
Life is just hard.
I say it all the time. But the darkness need not overwhelm. We live in the present.
We live. Even in darkness.
What helps us get through the dark nights is the belief that the sun will rise in the morning.
And so far, even if I haven’t been able to see it through the fog or clouds, it has risen.
Song: Dante’s Prayer by Loreena Mckennitt
Lyrics:
When the dark wood fell before me
And all the paths were overgrown
When the priests of pride say there is no other way
I tilled the sorrows of stone.
I did not believe because I could not see
Though you came to me in the night
When the dawn seemed forever lost
You showed me your love in the light of the stars.
Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me.
Then the mountain rose before me
By the deep well of desire
From the fountain of forgiveness
Beyond the ice and the fire.
Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me.
Though we share this humble path, alone
How fragile is the heart
Oh give these clay feet wings to fly
To touch the face of the stars.
Breathe life into this feeble heart
Lift this mortal veil of fear
Take these crumbled hopes, etched with tears
We'll rise above these earthly cares.
Cast your eyes on the ocean
Cast your soul to the sea
When the dark night seems endless
Please remember me
Please remember me.
Until Monday- Peace