Listen, God is singing through the Elms, first as thunder, then as wind, then as trembling leaves and limb.
Put my feet on solid ground,
Well, as solid as anything
That’s made of vibrating strings
Of energy and emptiness can be.
I’ll walk, assisted by gravity
And hold fast to the flow of constant change.
Under it all or through and through, above and below there is a hum,
Something to rely on.
Stay with that.
Sing.
The song is the only stable thing.
I’m stretching beyond my comfort zone because the same old strains are getting old.
I am growing younger.
Running all over the white page.
If only I could be as still and quiet as snow
Maybe then I’d know where and how to begin the Great Work I feel I ought to undertake.
The piles of rubble from one attempt after another hem me in so it seems all I can do is wait for a strong wind to shake things up, to change the landscape.
The castle walls have crumbled. Thank goodness!
See? A dandelion grows up through the cracked bricks and a bee, sipping her morning tea sees me watching and is not disturbed.
She is surely a teacher using metaphor and nectar to drive home the point that too much planning brings a kingdom to its knees.
The dandelion, a weed with many medicinal properties sways by the weight of the bee’s tiny feet.
Wild beauty grew when I let the walls fall down
And it’s turned out to be the most valuable thing.
This is a litany very similar to the one in I Claim This Life; in fact it is just a version that is easier to memorize and chant. Also, it felt wrong to say I claim instead of I offer because it is God who heals and does all the work. It seemed awkward not to make that distinction. I wanted to make the distinction that I am offering all to my Higher Power and not simply swelling up my ego.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and by the power of Light, I am.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and by the power of Light I am well.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and by the power of Light I am young.*’
I offer this body as a temple for Light and by the power of Light I am strong.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and by the power of Light, I am a healer.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and by the power of Light I am in harmony with nature.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and by the power of Light I love.
‘I offer this body as a temple for Light and by the power of Light I serve.
‘I offer this body as a temple for light and by the power of Light I am joy.
I offer this body as a temple of Light and by the power of Light I work.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and by the power of Light I play.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and by the power of Light I sing.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and by the power of Light I rest..
I offer this body for a temple of Light and by the power of Light I have everything I need.
I offer this body for a temple of Light and by the power of Light I praise the light.’
I offer this body as a temple for Light and by the power of Light I am kind.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and by the power of Light I am humble.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and by the power of Light I have compassion.
I offer this body for a temple of Light and by the power of Light I have serenity.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and by the power of Light I am patient.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and by the power of Light I have clarity.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and by the power of Light I am generous.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and because of the Light I have hope.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and because of the Light I radiate peace.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and because of the Light I am confident.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and because of the Light I see Light.
I offer this body as a temple for Light and because of the Light I am holy.
Now repeat the last 27 lines only focus on the mind instead on the body.
Repeat again and focus on the soul instead of the mind.
Repeat again only say, “My life” instead of body, mind or soul.
That will take you to the end of 108 beads on a standard mala
Conclusion:
I surrender my entire life, body, mind and soul to the Light with gratitude and peace.
Amen.
asingingtree 