Spring is such a special time of year, perhaps, because I am blessed with my own birth during these days so I personally feel an especially potent quality to this time of renewal. This year, on the morning of my birth, I rise early and am at my “sit spot” along Sweetwater stream just after dawn. The water is rushing with enormous power as the snows further up the mountain continue to melt. I am instantly swept up into the dynamic quality of the life force all around me – water pounding its way to the sea, green, almost neon, moss on the trees becoming more vibrant by the minute, the warmth of the sun soaking into every crevice urging all to wake-up and me in its midst with a heart so full of gratitude I feel like bursting. This morning I find myself rededicating myself to the plants, the elements, Earth, Great Spirit and the healing that is so necessary for us all. My prayers come louder as I must shout to be heard above the roar of the stream, tears pour from my eyes, blurring my vision as I cry for my prayers to find a seat in the home of the Holy Heart. I dedicate this last quarter of my life to being in service to Spirit and pray to step out of my amnesia and wake-up to that which gives life. As I pray I become more and more aware of my words and I ask that I be mindful of how I speak as I know the power words can carry. I pray for my words to be “purified” (and I ponder as that word is the one that comes to describe the shift I want in my language). My prayers continue until I feel free and clear in my heart as if a thorough house cleaning has occurred. I leave my “sit spot” and begin a walk about. My perception is filled with crystal clarity as I’m keenly aware of the life force that is everywhere – even the seeming ‘empty’ space is alive. The gift of this day is only beginning.
Mark and I decide to take a hike on the mountain across from us as we have never explored this area. We find ourselves on a ridgeline trail that overlooks ‘our mountain’ with the warm sun shining brightly through the leafless trees. We see lots of bear scat, find turkey feathers, delight in spring beauties and trout lilies and cherish these precious moments together with nothing to do and no where to go. As the sun dips lower in the sky we follow a wood road as we turn toward home. Up ahead I notice white along the edge of the trail. As we get closer I begin to anticipate what we will find and then we are upon them, Bloodroot, on a hillside covering the forest floor as far as the eye can see. My breath catches in ecstatic shock as I realize what is before us. For the second time in this day my tears begin to flow. I have never seen so much Bloodroot in one spot and, of course, Bloodroot is one of my special allies. Mark suggests we lie amongst them and he asks me to tell the story of Bloodroot. As my words come they spill out of my mouth like pearls being laid at the feet of the Buddha. I recall that one of the most incredible gifts that Bloodroot has to offer is purification not only of our blood but of our thoughts, feelings, actions and WORDS. Ding, ding, ding, click, click, click – here it is – the answer to my prayer. I asked for help to “purify” my words and the best purifier there is presents itself to the degree that the connection is implicitly obvious. Wow! The power of prayer is such that when you put your whole heart into it Spirit responds (almost immediately, in this case). So simple and yet so profound.
“Each person’s prayers can help everyone.”
— Thomas Yellowtail, CROW
Prayer is our entrance into the Unseen World. It is by prayer we can call upon the powers and laws of the Great Spirit. The Spirit World has powers and laws that are different from the Physical World. The spiritual laws allow healing to take place; they allow forgiveness to occur; they cause miracles to happen; they cause hate to disappear; they heal broken relationships; they guide every moment of our lives; they allow us to love even when it’s hard. Prayer allows us access to the Spirit World.
Creator, teach me to pray.
On the power of words: YouTube – The Power of Words
