"Poems, Prayers, & Promises" #23

Featuring John Daniels, Nathan Farrington, and Allison Allport

Aug 31, 2023

Welcome to the last day of “Poems, Prayers, & Promises”

Remember, you’re the co-creator of this dive. Do as much or as little as you’d like, when you’d like, how you’d like, with the materials I provide. Just keep gentle faith with yourself.

Registered yet for “Rafter Refuge”?

September 5, 6:30-8:00PM Central (7:30 ET, 5:30 MT, 4:30 PT)

As we approach the close of “Poems, Prayers, & Promises,” please register for our final sharing time on Zoom. We’ll reflect together on our experience of this Deep Dive. Please bring something brief to contribute to the free-flowing gathering, such as . . .

“shimmering words” from a poem that especially resonated with you
an insight that broke into your awareness
an excerpt from something you wrote
a promise you made to yourself that you want to speak aloud . . .

☀️ Registration is required for this celebration.

Set your intention

Take a moment to name the primary intention you have for this month-long deep dive and/or this particular session. Take a quiet moment to center yourself in that intention.

Enter the music

Read the poem

I invite you to read this poem twice—aloud, at least once. You may also listen to my reading of the poem (below), perhaps with your eyes closed.

1×

0:00

-1:15

Text within this block will maintain its original spacing when published


A PRAYER AMONG FRIENDS
John Daniel

Among other wonders of our lives, we are alive
with one another, we walk here
in the light of this unlikely world
that isn't ours for long.
May we spend generously
the time we are given.
May we enact our responsibilities
as thoroughly as we enjoy
our pleasures. May we see with clarity,
may we seek a vision
that serves all beings, may we honor
the mystery surpassing our sight,
and may we hold in our hands
the gift of good work
and bear it forth whole, as we
were borne forth by a power we praise
to this one Earth, this homeland of all we love.


(from Of Earth, 2012)

Contemplate/Create

Use any of these questions however you wish—e.g., as openings for meditation or prayer, as prompts for journaling or poetry-writing, as sparks for drawing or painting, as catalysts for change-making . . . You may also ignore my questions altogether to go off in other directions!

Reflect on the many “wonders” of your life, especially the fact that you and I and all we cherish “are alive / with one another . . . in the light of this unlikely world / that isn’t ours for long.”
This poem suggests that our gratitude increases with our awareness of life’s fragile and fleeting nature. How does a sense of your own vulnerability and mortality, and that of every other being on Earth—indeed, of Earth itself—inform the way you live?
This is a collective prayer, written on behalf of a “we” rather than an “I.” Imagine a “we” that is significant in your life (e.g., family, spiritual community, friend group, co-workers, humanity at large). Write a poem, prayer, or journal entry of blessing that offers a blessing on that group, making of the repeated phrase “May we _____.”
Does your consideration of this poem move you to make any kind of promise to yourself or someone else?

Want to visit with other Rafters in the Deep Dive?

Here are two options: either leave a comment on this post using the button, or join the chat thread dedicated to this Deep Dive. (Note: if you haven’t created a Substack profile yet, you’ll be asked to do so before you can comment or chat.)

Join us on Tuesday for “Rafter Refuge”!

6:30-8:00PM Central (7:30 ET, 5:30 MT, 4:30 PT)

Let’s close this Deep Dive with a time of sharing. Come and reflect with other Rafters on “Poems, Prayers, & Promises.” Registration is required for this celebration.

These materials are for educational purposes only. Not for sale or reproduction.