From our minister, Jay Leach: • An elderly Tibetan woman kneels. Her hand softly turns while gripping a small wooden spindle topped by a gentle spinning metal wheel. It is adorned with the Sanskrit mantra “Om mani padme hum.” • A young child pauses before bedtime to repeat simple words of comfort and hope. • A group sways and turns in slow, devotional movement, inspired by the breathy notes of a Nay and by the rhythmic report of a Benedir. Their Dhikr is led by their sheikh who guides them through the ritual. • A woman sets aside a time at the beginning of her day to sit in silence, clearing her mind to “intently listen for the voice within.” • A man adorned in black, his head topped by an elegant Shtreimel, sways rhythmically, his payot keeping time as he inserts a tiny piece of paper into an ancient wall. • A family pauses before a meal, offers words together reminding them of their good fortune in having food for another day. • A young woman gathers with her community in the early morning to sing, intoning Lauds in poetic words passed down for generations. • A boy goes through the rakʿah—standing, kneeling, and bowing—alongside his father in a large assemblage of other men gathered for Salat. • A large congregation stands together and offers, in unison, centuries-old words they know by heart. • A group begins facing east, offering words of adulation, then turns south, west and north. They then address the sky and the earth. • A couple sits, hand in hand, expressing their gratitude to one another. • Prārthana is woven into each part of a woman’s life, brief mantras recited upon waking, setting a foot on the ground, bathing and continuing throughout the day. * * * * * These widely varying kinds of words and actions from around the world might all be considered forms of “prayer.” But what is it, really, that links such divergent expressions? What lies behind each of these expressions? Why do these people do and say what they do and say? What motivates them? What are their hopes and expectations? Obviously, were we to give very careful attention to each of the examples above, were we to analyze them carefully, were we able to converse with each of the exemplars, we would not have begun to exhaust the possible meaning of the notion of “prayer.” Nor could we even assume that there would be agreement, that these various pray-ers would share a similar set of assumptions, a similar worldview, similar feelings about the role of praying in their lives. For our final Second Sunday service on Sunday, June 8 we will reflect specifically on the notion of “prayer.” While, as usual, we’ll have a discussion between services on that day, I’d really like to get the input of UUCC members ahead of time on this topic. Reflect a bit on “prayer.” What does it mean to you? Do you have any larger sense of it, beyond your personal experience? Do you pray—why or why not? Did you used to pray? Have you recently begun to pray? What questions does prayer raise for you? Is there anything you associate with prayer—particular words, readings, rituals, music? Is there a prayer or a way of praying that is particularly meaningful for you, for your family, for some group you are a part of? Is there a particular definition of prayer that seems to express your sense of it? I’d welcome receiving any input you might be willing to offer prior to our Second Sunday service in June. Send your thoughts, feelings, experiences, questions, suggestions to me at [email protected]. And, thanks in advance for sharing with me.
Posted on: Thu, 22 May 2014 16:52:48 +0000
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