I am delighted to share another beautiful submission to our Monk in the World guest post series from the community. Read on for Starr Regan DiCiurcio’s reflection and inspiration for writing your own prayer.
Over the years I have spent considerable time in monasteries, primarily Buddhist and Benedictine ones. The rhythm of the days, the beauty of chant, the resonance with ancestors, the faith held in community and the deep solitude all nourish me. But the day to leave always comes with the challenge of translating the monastic experience into my daily life. As an Interfaith Minister my work includes spiritual direction, retreats, and meditation instruction. My creative pursuits are writing and art, particularly nature journaling. The Abbey of the Arts has offered me a wellspring of ideas to support my role as an everyday, everywhere monk. Christine was way ahead of the times in recognizing the potential of online community. I am grateful. The prayer below is from my book Divine Sparks. The work offers many prayers and meditations, but I chose this example as an encouragement to you, the reader, to write your own. Tradition offers us irreplaceable words that resonate deeply, but there is great value in finding our own words to express our hearts. Our prayers are an outpouring of praise and intention, but also a coming home to ourselves. Your prayer is a perfect prayer. The Divine Mystery awaits you.
Starr’s Prayer
Make of my life a prayer –
a prayer of praise, reverence, and wonder.
Let me move through each day mindfully –
mindful steps, mindful words, mindful thoughts.
Help me understand the power of lovingkindness
and show me how to infuse myself and others with its grace.
Let me not miss a moment of beauty’s light --
illuminating, healing, and strengthening.
May all before me be recognized as holy –
each blade of grass, each being, each stepping stone.
May my soul fill with gratitude for all before me, big and small,
so I become a wellspring of generosity.
May I bow deeply at dawn and dusk
anticipating each threshold with courage and curiosity.
May I touch the source of joy that bubbles deep within my heart
and may I be released into perfect freedom.
Starr Regan DiCiurcio is an artist, writer and interfaith minister living in Upstate New York. She is also ordained in the Order of Interbeing of Thich Nhat Hanh. Her most recent book is Divine Sparks: Interfaith Wisdom for a Postmodern World. www.StarrRegan.com
