Friday, November 1, 2013


From the American poet, Robert Lax:


Unconditional love. That’s the bottom line. Everything is here because of love. That’s why we were created — to love. Love keeps things going, not just for now, but forever. Love gives life and makes sure what’s around today will be around tomorrow. It’s all about compassion. That’s what the cosmos best responds to. 
Every moment is a gift. Relax, get into the moment, and do all you can to listen to it. I mean, really, really listen. Be present to the moment with everything you are.
It takes practice. After you’ve listened for a while, you start responding. I think you start working your gifts in response to what you’ve heard. You become appreciative of the moment. You give back because you begin to see how everything is on loan, a gift from God. 
Learn how to look. Take time to look to see what’s right there in front of you, to let what you see sink in. When you look at a flower opening or a tree moving with the wind, you just relax and take it all in. Try and see everything like that, if you can. 
Looking and listening lead into everything….. You become more totally aware of reality. It’s so true — everything we need to live well is already within our possession. Wisdom is right before our very eyes. 
Be gentle and patient both with yourself and with others, no matter what comes along. In this way, waiting becomes a fulfilling, very meaningful experience. If you live gently, honorably, focusing on the cultivation of your heart, good things are sure to follow. 
Prayer is a way of doing instantaneous good for all things in all places. It’s a way of sending out love everywhere at one. It’s a power that everyone has access to, and it can transfigure the world. Prayer makes everything you do more real, lasting, meaningful and fruitful. Through prayer, everything just flowers and flows. 
Try to live as purely and as simply and as gently as you can. Relax. Be flexible. Be forgiving. Be creative. Be loving. You are a peacemaker. Those who cross your path may need you. 
Listen, be discerning, use all the radar you can generate in your waking moments. Try to keep the balance. The whole world’s watching, counting on you to do the right thing, the loving thing. So let in the light whenever, wherever you can.

From http://ncronline.org/blogs/road-peace/wisdom-robert-lax-cultivate-exercise-compassion and based on “The Way of the Dreamcatcher: Spirit Lessons with Robert Lax, Poet, Peacemaker and Sage” by Steve Georgiou.

3 comments:

  1. This is beautiful! The first paragraph reminds me of this Merton quote:

    "The beginning of love is to let those we love be perfectly themselves, and not to twist them to fit our own image. Otherwise we love only the reflection of ourselves we find in them."

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    Replies
    1. Richard Rohr recently had a daily reflection that related PRESENCE to being with someone and not wanting to change anything about them. I think that is what Merton is saying too. Thanks for this, Matt.

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