Songs of Earth; Songs of Heaven
Daily Dose of Emily D
“Further in Summer than the Birds –
Pathetic from the Grass –
A Minor Nation celebrates
It’s unobtrusive Mass –
No Ordinance be seen –
So gradual the Grace
A pensive Custom it becomes
Enlarging Loneliness –
‘Tis Audiblest, at Dusk –
When Day’s attempt is done –
And Nature nothing waits to do
But terminate in Tune –
Nor difference it knows
Of Cadence, or of Pause –
But simultaneous as Same –
The Service emphacize –
Nor know I when it cease –
At Candles, it is here –
When Sunrise is – that it is not –
Than this, I know no more –
The Earth has many keys –
Where Melody is not
Is the Unknown Peninsula –
Beauty – is Nature’s Fact –
But Witness for Her Land –
And Witness for Her Sea –
The Cricket is Her utmost
Of Elegy, to Me –”
Daily Scripture Reading
Anchor Verse
“‘I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’”
Reflection
When I read this scripture today, in light of this poem by Emily Dickinson, I can’t help but to read into that term “keys.” I know, Jesus is using the metaphor to allude to the process of opening and closing access to a desired location. But the multiple meaning of this term “key,” sends my mind to dancing. The thought that the “keys” that unlock the gates to a higher realm are musical is a magical thought, but not far reaching. I also know Dickinson to be playing with the multiple meaning of there term too: talking about the “keys” at once as objects that lock and unlock, as all the various musical keys, and as small islands.
Our poet describes the closing of summer, the ending of song, an elegy. Death approaches gracefully. A solitary witness will sing of a life. Mystery and beauty described and a union of Earth and Heaven and the “bridge” between.
What is the song you are singing, and by what melody are you known? The birds were singing again outside my window. Their songs are diverse.
The passage today causes me to stand back again and wonder. Why? Why When Jesus repeated the words “I require mercy not sacrifice,” is he understanding that he will be the sacrifice? A mystery.
There is a rhythm to life. When we harmonize with it, we suffer less. There is a flow, and when we surrender to it we are rendered as one. One with Earth. One with Heaven. One with Divine Mystery. The Song of Life.
Transcript
Welcome to your guided meditation.
Our intention for today will be to open the heart and to celebrate the connection between body and spirit.
Let’s begin. Move your body gently as you settle yourself into a comfortable seated position, taking the time to loosen up any stiffness that you may feel in your neck, your shoulders, or your chest. Breathe in and slowly look to the right over your right shoulder. Exhale and come to center. Breathe in and look to your left over your left shoulder. Exhale and return to center. Do that again. Inhale and look to the right. Exhale, come to center. Inhale, look to the left. Exhale, come to center. Now let’s move your shoulders. While seated firmly and while keeping your shoulders square, take a long breath in and twist from your waist up to the right. Hold. Exhale and come to center. Inhale, and twist to the left. Hold. Exhale, and come to center. Again. Breathe in and twist from your waist up to the right. Hold. Exhale and come to center. Breathe in and twist from your waist up to the left. Hold. Exhale and come to center. Now, let’s open up the chest area and release any tension there. Take a deep breath in and slowly look up to the sky, arching your back and releasing your chest forward. Hold. Exhale, slowing moving chin to chest and rounding your back. Again. Inhale and slowly look up to the sky, arching your back and releasing your chest forward. Hold. Exhale, slowing moving chin to chest and rounding your back. Now slowly look back up to center. Place your hands together in prayer position in front of your heart and begin to rub your palms together, generating heat. As you feel the warmth, place your hands to your heart. Feel the beating of your heart. As you connect to this rhythm of your hear, begin notice your breath. Your heart beating and your breath. Slow your breath down.
Now, imagine a beautiful light moving in through your breath into your body. Breathe in this positive energy and allow it to circulate within. Breathe in light, allow it to circulate, and breathe out light, release it back to the world. Think of someone in your life who could use this loving energy today. As you breathe in, gather all the loving energy from the universe, and as you breathe out, radiate this loving peaceful energy out to them. Inhale love and light and exhale love light. Inhale and exhale.
Take a deep breath in through your nose. And exhale.
Let’s cultivate our mantra for today,
On the inhale repeat: I sing a song of Earth.
On the exhale repeat: I sing a song of Heaven; my song is love.
I sing a song of Earth; I sing a song of Heaven; my song is love.
I sing a song of Earth; I sing a song of Heaven; my song is love.
A you begin to settle into a deeper, more meditative state, be aware of your thoughts as they arise. Let them remind you to return to your breath, your breath and the feeling of your heart beat, and your mantra. Welcome a state of flow. When your my begins to drift, slowly return back to your intention opening your heart to receiving loving peaceful energy and sending this energy out into the world.
I sing a song of Earth; I sing a song of Heaven; my song is love.
I sing a song of Earth; I sing a song of Heaven; my song is love.
I sing a song of Earth; I sing a song of Heaven; my song is love.
And now silently, on your own.
It is time to let go of the mantra.
Begin to come back to your breath. Slowly move you fingers and your toes. Gently move your head and shoulders, and when you are ready, open your eyes. Notice how you feel. Carry this feeling with you into your day today. Be the love. Be the light. Thank you for taking this time to mediate with me today. My blessings to you. Namaste.
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CHARMED
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Word of Intention
heart
Eight Affirmations of Gratitude
I am grateful for understanding.
I am thankful for my open eyes; my sight.
I give thanks for my open mind.
I am thankful for my open heart.
I am thankful for what is heard and for what is yet to be heard.
I am so very for the song of my life.
I give thanks for trusting the unfolding of my life.
I am grateful for the cricket’s song.
Questions to Consider
What does Jesus mean when he says, “The keys of the kingdom of heaven?”
Am I fully aware of the power I have within me and how am I choosing to use it?
Am I cultivating a energy of love daily?
Blessings
Thank you for joining me. Love and light to you my friend. Namaste.