Am I the builder?

If I am to build on rock, how swiftly will my foundation become strong? Do I build stone by stone?

Or is it an everyday miracle that, following your leading, I find myself standing on solid ground?

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Why do I take credit for the very earth?

Lord, let me listen to you today, follow where you lead, be a hearer and a doer of your will. Let me thus stand upon rock.

– from the mountain

Consider:

What do I wrongly take credit for in my life?

Reading:

“Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.”— Matthew 7:24–25 (KJV)

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Why not leave it here?

So full, of so much. The days upon days have weighed and pressed in. Now I scarcely see the beauty around me in this forest as I walk.

With all my cares stacked on my shoulders, and hands full of woe, I look down at my feet, step by slow step.

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I could leave it all here by the roadside. What is stopping me?

Let me become empty, that my hands are open and my shoulders light. Let my back straighten and my step quicken.

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These burdens were all imaginary.

Today, Lord, let me not pick up imaginary burdens.

– from the mountain

Consider:

What am I carrying that feels burdensome, yet is imaginary?

Reading:

“The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.” — Psalm 34:17 (KJV)

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Always seeking a new road.

Walking towards the horizon. Will I ever reach my goal? It is always so far off.

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Should I leave this road for another, and another? Each hop to a new lane, I start anew, yet from the beginning.

The shortest road is the one I am on.

Lord, grant me perseverance.

– from the mountain

Consider:

What should I stick with, rather than abandon?

Reading:

“Endurance is one of the most difficult disciplines, but it is to the one who endures that the final victory comes.” — Buddha

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“If you are irritated by every rub, how will you be polished?” — Rumi

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“The trying of your faith worketh patience.” — James 1:3 (KJV)

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No matter what. (Sunday Reflection)

I still recall it vividly. Over a decade ago, my first yoga teacher told me a story.

There are many styles of yoga — some more strenuous than others. The style I learned is quite energetic and it takes stamina.

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One’s teacher is important in the yoga community. People speak of their “lineage” — part of a chain. I learn from a particular teacher, I may go on to teach others.

My teacher had set her mind on a trip to spend time with her own teacher, the creator of our style of yoga. It was a big deal. She looked forward to the trip for many months.

Finally, she arrived at the studio, ready to practice. Suddenly, she was hit with crushing fatigue. She could barely move. On her mat, in the back of the room, she remained in child’s pose the whole time.

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I imagine how disappointing it must have been at first. So much anticipation. But in yoga, we learn to work with the body that we have, on that day. Some days we are strong. Others, weak.

Sometimes all you can do is curl into a ball.

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In all cases, we give 100% of whatever we have. Maybe I’m at 10% that day — but I can give all of that.

My teacher’s story opened the door for me to show up anyway — even when I am imperfect, weak, tired. It is a practice I try to pursue, and one at which I fail often.

– from the mountain

Consider:

What could I show up for today — even at my most diminished?

Reading:

“Out of suffering have emerged the strongest souls.” — Kahlil Gibran

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“Let us run with patience the race that is set before us.” — Hebrews 12:1 (KJV)

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“This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him.” — Psalm 34:6 (KJV)

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