September 15, 2021
Let the Way Open
By Amba Gale
Last summer, on a quiet day, a sailboat made its way past the island in front of our cabin.
It seemed to glide effortlessly as it caught the wind, its sails billowing.
The energy of the universe, and of Grace, moves through us in just that way. However, to tap into it, we need to raise our sails, as well. We also (and this is hard for most of us) must surrender, or let go of needing to control, which need stops us from accessing that flow.
Sometimes, it is hard to let go of control. And it is exactly what must be done, if we are to find our unique path in this current.
Ramakrishna said, Grace is like a big, holy wind, blowing all the time. While we can never capture or bottle it, we can learn to invoke it by both raising our sails more frequently and increasing the quality and size of our sails through practice and intention.
So, here is a practice you might “try on” and enjoy.
Begin by stopping all of your other activities, shut your cell phone off, find a comfortable place to sit, where you won’t be distracted.
Allow yourself to get comfortable, and quiet.
Breathe in deeply three times, relaxing your awareness of each breath as you breathe.
Now, relax into the flow of everything that is.
Notice the rhythm of your breath. Just watch your body for a while as your stomach rises, and falls expanded by your breath, and then relax into your outbreath.
Notice, as you breathe, any tension in your body. Breathe into that tension, and consciously, as you breathe, into it, let the tension go.
Observe your breath for a while, rising and falling, just letting your awareness rest on your breath.
Now, imagine your awareness lifting high, like sails in a sail boat, blown open by a holy wind.
Ask the wind where it is taking you.
Be still, and listen. What you hear is your own inner imagination, your inner wisdom, your guide, speaking to you.
Write down what the wind says. Read it to yourself. Follow the guidance.
Let the Way open before you.
Sailing Effortlessly into Silence
By Amba Gale
On the porch now.
I drink my morning healing tea.
The aroma and warmth make my body feel good, like I am meant to be here.
It is always good to know that I am meant to be
where I am.
The sailboat, with its white, full sail
glides
soundlessly,
effortlessly,
past the island nearby,
wind at its tail.
I glide effortlessly into no time.
There, I find my Inner guide, speaking a blessing:
May the divine wind lift my sails of trust.
May I intuit and attune, allowing
the breeze to carry me effortlessly home,
knowing that I am already at home,
here,
one with the current of life,
where I belong.
