Our Democracy and our ability to retain it, is certainly being tested!  We had another week of ups and downs.  Among the “ups”, our Buddhist Brothers arrived in D.C. to a wonderful welcome by Bishop Budde and a host of dignitaries.  Many thousands welcomed them as they walked into the city.  Several thousand people came when they spoke at the Lincoln Memorial and at Washington Cathedral!  They were able to make this amazing journey because of their mindful intentions and spiritual practices.  Walking meditation is one of their core practices.  When we combine prayerful intentions with conscious walking, we are “walking” that intention into the World. 

This practice is so similar to the way the Celtic Christians wove prayers into their daily life.  They had spoken out loud prayers, quiet prayers, prayers for journeys, prayers for working, prayers for cooking, and prayers for sleeping.  They expressed gratitude for everything in their lives, especially the blessings of Nature and “All Creatures Great and Small”.  They felt Blessed and intended to be a Blessing in their community!  This is one of the reasons we use Morning and Evening Prayers in our Celtic Study Group!  We are building Spiritual Muscles!

~ Morning Prayer ~

"Thanks to you, O God, 

that I have risen today,

 to the rising of Life itself; 

May it be to your own glory. 

Even as I clothe my body with wool, 

Cover my soul with the shadow of your Wing".

~ Evening Prayer ~

"I lie down this night with God, 

And God will lie down with me. 

I lie down this night with Christ, 

And Christ will lie down with me. 

May the peace of the Spirit be mine this night, 

To bring me rest, 

And keep me from