A Feather on the Breath of God

I am drawn to go to the river on this windy, and beautiful fall morning...

Several years ago, I began so many mornings like this, going down to the river, with my kayak in tow, which I had aptly named "Grace," and into the waters we would go, to pray, to meditate, and commune with nature...

I am not able to do this at the moment, for I lack a vehicle in which I can haul my kayak, and so today, I simply sit on a bench, looking out at the broad expanse of the river in front of me, and begin to do Metta practice for many in need. I give thanks and express gratitude for so many things in my life, chanting the Reiki precepts slowly, and with great care, mindfulness, and devotion, as if lost in a reverie not of this world...

As I lose myself deeply in these spiritual practices, I feel buoyed by the Divine Presence surrounding me - and tossed about like a leaf in the wind and grace of God's love...

I dance joyfully, following its gentle lead and rhythm...

I marvel at the lightness I feel - pliant, and subservient  to the wind's dictates and whims. I am as Hildegard of Bingen once wrote of herself, simply "a feather on the breath of God..."

I do not know where I will end up but the wind carries me, like the wings of angels beneath my feet, and for a few moments, the incredible sense of lightness and freedom, and deep abiding love totally consume me. And I truly know and believe, in those moments - that all shall be well...

"I am the fiery life of the essence of God;

I am the flame above the beauty in the fields;

I shine in the waters; 

I burn in the sun, the moon, and the stars.

And with the airy wind, I quicken all things vitally

by an unseen, all-sustaining life.

For the air is alive in the verdure and the flowers;

the waters flow as if they lived;

the sun too lives in its light;

and when the moon wanes it is rekindled 

by the light of the sun, as if it lived anew:

Even the stars glisten in their light as if alive."

~ Hildegard of Bingen


On A Day When the Wind is Perfect

On a day
when the wind is perfect,
the sail just needs to open 
and the world is full of beauty.
Today is such a day.

My eyes are like the sun that makes promises;
the promise of life 
that it always keeps
each morning.

The living heart gives to us
as does that luminous sphere,
both caress the earth with great tenderness.

This is a breeze that can enter the soul.
This love I know plays a drum.
Arms move around me;
who can contain their self before my beauty?

Peace is wonderful,
but ecstatic dance is more fun, and less narcissistic;
gregarious He makes our lips.

On a day when the wind is perfect,
the sail just needs to open
and the love starts.

Today is such
a day.

~ Rumi