I No Longer Pray
Ya no rezo--por Chelan Harkin
Ya no rezo—
ahora bebo chocolate negro
y dejo que la luna me cante.
Ya no rezo—
Dejo que mis ancestros bailen
a través de mis caderas
a la menor provocación. Ya no rezo—
Voy al río
y aúllo mi antiguo dolor
a la corriente.
Ya no rezo—
Me duele, deseo,
digo “sí” a mi anhelo.
Ya no rezo como me enseñaron
sino mientras las estrellas trepan
a mi regazo como animales suaves en la noche
y Dios me coloca el pelo detrás de las orejas
con los suaves dedos de su viento
y se descubre una nueva intimidad en todo,
tal vez sea que finalmente estoy aprendiendo
a rezar.
Preguntas semilla para la reflexión: ¿Cómo te relacionas con la noción de la oración como encontrar una intimidad con todo? ¿Puedes compartir una historia personal de una ocasión en la que reconociste la intimidad con todo? ¿Qué te ayuda a sentir tu conexión con todo lo que existe?
Chelan Harkin es autora, poeta y madre. A los 21 años, se encontró en la presencia de Baha'u'llah, el fundador de la fe bahá'í, y escuchó "Let us dance" (Dancemos), lo que marcó un punto de inflexión en su vida.
Chelan Harkin is an author, poet and mother. At the age of 21, she found herself in the save Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i faith, and heard "Let us dance" -- which was turning point of her life.
SEED QUESTIONS FOR REFLECTION: How do you relate to the notion of prayer as finding an intimacy with everything? Can you share a personal story of a time you recognized intimacy with everything? What helps you feel your connection to all that is?
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26 Past Reflections
On Sep 12, 2024 Bill wrote :
Lovely poem! Sometimes the old prayers are like the smooth stones in the river rolling downstream beneath the surface and sometimes prayer is formless like the water itself.
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On Sep 8, 2024 Lindsay wrote :
I was also taught to pray in a correct way but as I have allowed my life to unfold with acceptance to all around me, the need for prayer has diminished, and love and kindness towards all is present.
I had an experience when going to trim a tree in my yard. As I approached, I told the tree my goal and why I would be trimming the branches back. As I began the trimming, I went a completely different route than what I had originally set out to do. The tree was trimmed and looked beautiful. I felt guided as I collaborated with the tree.
I had an experience when going to trim a tree in my yard. As I approached, I told the tree my goal and why I would be trimming the branches back. As I began the trimming, I went a completely different route than what I had originally set out to do. The tree was trimmed and looked beautiful. I felt guided as I collaborated with the tree.
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On Sep 3, 2024 Berry wrote :
Recently in conversation with a rabbi, a mu-aalima, a minister and a First Nations elder, I asked them to define prayer. They all spoke about a still place within and the continual Presence in their lives that translates as praying without ceasing, in every action and every word. Our lives become a prayer. And we no longer pray because we are prayer. This poem is exquisite. Thank you.
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On Aug 20, 2024 Rakesh Doshi wrote :
Beautiful and lovely narration in a poetic way. It sounds like straight from the heart.
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On Aug 20, 2024 Eric Hutchins wrote :
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on this poetic reflection on prayer.
I think its intent is to "expand awareness" of prayer to include the state of fulfillment resulting from prayer and whatever else one is doing in pursuit of "liberation from self," "inner wholeness of mind," etc. I think it falls short, perhaps because it spends too much time negating prayer. I would have much preferred a poem on how prayer can facilitate the union of self and Self. As it stands, this poem just leads to more confusion about both prayer AND the state of Divine Union (as enjoyed in small sensory perceptions). My conclusions: (1) not every elevated (or even Enlightened) person is a helpful communicator; (2) it's not for lack of flowery words that the world is plunged into suffering. It is for lack of self-transcending experience each day; and (3) the first rule of history is "It's always later than we think."
In my twice-daily yogic program, self-transcending meditation prepares me for t... [View Full Comment]
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On Aug 20, 2024 Tom Dietvorst wrote :
What a delightful poem. There is no "one way." Portals to presence are endless in number. Thank you.
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On Aug 20, 2024 Yvette wrote :
I will always remember laying under floating clouds, grasses tickling, aspen singing, pine sap perfuming each breath; appreciating the way our Mother cradles us.
Wonderful Ms. Harkin!
Wonderful Ms. Harkin!
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On Aug 20, 2024 Meg wrote :
So lovely and comforting. Thank you for this beautiful writing.
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On Aug 20, 2024 Nikhil wrote :
I am reminded of a Gujarati Bhajan beautifully sung by Ras Bihari Desai. Hari Tane su smariye aapan jal ma jal sam rahiye. Please check on youtube for the rendition
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On Aug 19, 2024 Dilshad Dayani wrote :
The guilt I once felt for not following traditional methods of prayer no longer weighs on me. I've found freedom in charting my own path, allowing it to ebb and flow like a river meeting the ocean, forming new connections each day. My form of prayer takes on various shapes – whether it's through serene contemplation, dancing, creating art, writing messages in the sand, observing birds, speaking softly to the trees, immersing myself in water to feel every drop, watching children play fearlessly, or experiencing pure joy. Even cooking in the midst of enticing aromas becomes a prayerful act. Engaging in these prayerful connections requires a willingness to enter a meditative state, fully embracing the present moment. Prayer becomes an expression where the free soul feels its amazing longing and bonds in a creative pursuit without any expectations or outcomes. It's simply about being in the moment and feeling.
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On Aug 16, 2024 Jagdish P Dave wrote :
According to my experience prayer creates intimacy and a sense of oneness with existence. Prayer has helped me to be one with me, a sense of wholeness with existence. Prayer helps me to see the truth. Prayer takes me to a place which is beyond right and wrong, a place of oneness.
When I was a child every evening we were chanting Divine songs.we were doing what we call Kirtan. Chanting together created a sense of intimacy, a sense of oneness or "onening". My childhhod experiences have built a spiritual foundation of my life. This foundation has helped me go though thick and thin times of mylfe. It has helped me go through all seasons of my life.
I love to read spiritual books and aricles, relfect on what resonates in me, have discussions with friends and family members and regularly pracice Mindfulness Meditation. We have created a spiritual community, a sangha where we virtually get to gether once a week for practicing Midfulness Meditation and have spiritual discourses. Such ... [View Full Comment]
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On Aug 15, 2024 David Doane wrote :
I relate to what Chelan Harkin writes. I learned prayers and said prayers to a separate God out there. It is only in the past 15+ years that I became aware that all is one and all is God in form. Since that awareness, my prayer is from that awareness of oneness and intimacy of all, and my prayer seems to slowly enhance that awareness. I think dissatisfaction with prayer and religion that I grew up in helped me search and be open to seeing the connection of all that is. My reading, discussing, and reflecting help me see and sometimes feel my connection to all that is. The connection I am aware of with self, with others, and with the world increases and I think is itself a prayer.
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On Aug 15, 2024 Gail Hamley wrote :
My life…life itself is a prayer…I sat silently and watched a bird on a branch sing a concert for me…I made soup, washed clothes and…the awareness of Presence filled me. I no longer ask or plea in worded prayer. Presence made me silent and grateful.
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On Aug 15, 2024 Victoria wrote :
So beautiful! Prayer is something I have done as part of a daily morning practice for many years and I love the feeling of deep, sacred closeness that comes for me with this practice. And I've noticed over the last few years that sometimes for any number of reasons I will skip a day or miss offering a prayer. It is during those times that I more consciously sense the presence of prayer throughout the day...mostly in the form of gratitude or perhaps a blessing for sentient beings that seem to be in struggle or suffering. I've noticed that prayer grew and enlarged from a sacred connection between myself and something much greater than myself.....to a greater intimacy with all of life.
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On Jul 6, 2024 Mark OBrien wrote :
Connecting with spirit through every day experiences- is the essence of prayer. Wonderful way to connect. Fr Rohr says that God comes to us disguised as our lives
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On Sep 13, 2023 Mahurutanga wrote :
Just what I needed right now thank you! I discovered your poetry via the journey on horse podcast! Arohanui to you Chelan.