Burn

Daily Dose of Emily D

The largest Fire ever known
Occurs each Afternoon—
Discovered is without surprise
Proceeds without concern—
Consumes and no report to men
An Occidental Town,
Rebuilt another morning
To be burned down again.
— -- Emily Dickinson,
 

Daily Scripture Reading

Anchor Verse

His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”
— Matthew 3:12, NRSV
 

Meditation

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Transcript

As we make our journey through life, we collect a lot of treasures it’s true. Those true treasures are that “wheat” referred to in our anchor verse today, that we gather and consume because it gives us nourishment. But also there is the trash, which is symbolized in our passage as the “chaff” that is of no use and will be burned away. Much of what we have, whether it nourishes us or not, we keep because it is familiar. We hang on to it and do not want to let it go. We are holding so much. The weight is a burden. Our passage today is all about cleansing. The words resonate with the idea of releasing what does not serve our greatest good so that we can continue on our path fully nourished and completely free of the weight of what we do not need.

It’s time to let go. How do we know what to let go of? Take hold of what you have. Examine it fully. Does it bring joy? Does it bring peace of mind? Is is life-giving or life-draining? There you will find your answer. This works for that that is material and that that is nonmaterial. It works for every action you take, every friend you make, every word you speak, and every text you tweet. It works for the thoughts of your mind and all of the materials you possess. It is a way of winnowing that works. Stand true to you and make your decision based on what gives you joy.

The focus of our mediation today will be on considering the cleansing elements that are in our lives. Think of water that washes away all of the dust and grime of the day from our bodies and our clothes. Think of the air we breath, cleansing our cells, our lungs. Think of fire that we generate within as we move our bodies, burning away calories, purging our thoughts, and the fever burning away the sickness.

Of the element of fire, our poet today poses a riddle. “The largest fire,” she claims, “occurs each afternoon.” It’s fun to look at all of online suggestions as to what that fire is. Some say, Dickinson is describing her trash burning activity. LOL. Read the poem with this in mind; it’s fun, especially with our theme of the day. Perhaps this is true, but I doubt Dickinson had that much trash to burn so as to make it a daily activity, especially in the 1800’s. Some say she is describing her own writing. She writes, and her words go unnoticed like a dying fire. When I first read this poem, knowing Dickinson and her kinship with nature, I thought of the sun. She clues us into that idea with her capitalized “Occidental.” The East-West movement that the sun takes each day is quickly brought to mind. And the there is the clue of “Afternoon.” And while I truly believe she is alluding to the sun and the path it takes everyday and its rebirth each morning, Dickinson is a metaphysical poet too and often what she asks us to witness with her in nature, is also something that she is reflecting on that is happening within ourselves. This burning that consumes us and purifies us is a daily practice. As we live, not only do we gather what we sow, but things attach to us. We say things we regret, we do things we want to forget, and we are showered with incoming thoughts and ideas that are barbed with toxicity. Living is a dirty process. Thankfully there is water. Thankfully there is fire. Let’s face the fire of our winnowing with bravery in our hearts. Let us embrace our bath time, and celebrate getting clean.

With that said, let’s begin our meditation.

Find a comfortable seat on a rug, a pillow, a chair, or the ground. Close your eyes, rest your hands on your knees and begin to bring your awareness to your breath, slowly breathing in and out. Inhale and exhale. Relax your face. Allow your eyes to be heavy. Release your jaw. Allow any tension in your neck or shoulders to melt away. You are where you need to be, and you are safe. Inhale and exhale. Be the watcher of your thoughts, let them drift away like smoke. Inhale and exhale. Breath in and out, and with each exhale, let go.

I will now introduce our mantra for today. You can repeat it in your mind as you meditate, or simply use it to bring you back to the present moment if your mind begins to take you to the past or the future.

I release what does not serve me; in my being, I am pure.

I release what does not serve me; in my being, I am pure.

I release what does not serve me; in my being, I am pure.

And now, silently in your mind. I will ring a soft bell as we begin and then once again to let you know that it is time to let go of the mantra . . .

It is time to let go of the mantra. Slowly begin to move your fingers and your toes. Find your breath. Flutter your eyes open when you are ready.

As you move through your day today, continue to consider those cleansing elements in your life. Let them wash over you and let all that does not serve you melt away. Revive and rejuvenate. And let your smile unfold from your purest self.

Live a CHARMED Life.

CHARMED

Don’t forget your daily self care practices. Click here for inspiration.

Word of Intention

purify

 

Eight Affirmations of Gratitude

  • I am grateful for purity.

  • I am thankful for the cleansing elements in my life.

  • An give thanks for new beginnings.

  • I am thankful for my holiness.

  • I am thankful for my ability to let go of all that does not serve my greatest good.

  • I give thanks for regeneration.

  • I am thankful for my ability to forgive myself and others.

  • I am grateful that I am forgiven.

 

Questions to Consider

  • What in my mind, body, or spirt needs purging today?

  • What are the cleansing elements in my life?

  • How can I celebrate my “winnowing” ?

 

Blessings

Thank you for joining me. Love and light to you my friend. Namaste.

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The Look of Death

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In the Darkness, Seek the Light