More often than not our favourite prayers are those we know best. We say them to ourselves in hours of need or anxiety and they give us something even more potent than comfort. It’s as if the power of these words comes from the collective unconscious, and knowing them, and saying them frequently strengthens them even more. Today we would like you to enjoy some interesting links to mini-films of the most familiar prayers — The Lord’s Prayer the favourite Jewish prayer — The Shema and the favourite Islamic prayer – The Adhan .
But there are other favourites, choices special to us by reason of association, and preferred moments of contemplation. Here are some other favourites, beginning with words from the Bible – The Sermon on the Mount, also known as The Beatitudes. Also, we have some powerful and much loved quotations from Rumi. Another massive favourite that is enjoyed worldwide is the poem and song entitled Anthem, by the Jewish poet Leonard Cohen. Last but by no means least, a favourite of the Dalai Lama — Shantideva’s exquisite Bodhisattva Prayer for Humanity.
I do hope you enjoy them.
Stay well at this still uncertain moment in time,
Very best wishes,
Anthea
Chair IFCG
THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT
(The Beatitudes)
Matthew 5:3-12
Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
for they will inherit the Earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
for they will be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
for they will be shown mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness,
for theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
FAVOURITE QUOTATIONS
Jalāl ad-Dīn Muhammad Rūmī
Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. Because for those who love with their heart and soul there is no such things as separation.
* * *
The wound is the place where the light enters you.
* * *
Your task is not to seek for love, but merely to seek and find all the barriers within yourself that you have built against it.
* * *
Knock, And He’ll open the door
Vanish, And He’ll make you shine like the sun
Fall, And He’ll raise you to the heavens
Become nothing, And He’ll turn you into everything.
* * *
I was dead, then alive.
Weeping, then laughing.
The power of love came into me,
and I became fierce like a lion,
then tender like the evening star.
ANTHEM
Leonard Cohen
The birds they sang
At the break of day
Start again
I heard them say
Don’t dwell on what
Has passed away
Or what is yet to be
Yeah the wars they will
Be fought again
The holy dove
She will be caught again
Bought and sold
And bought again
The dove is never free
Ring the bells (ring the bells) that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything (there is a crack in everything)
That’s how the light gets in
We asked for signs
The signs were sent
The birth betrayed
The marriage spent
Yeah the widowhood
Of every government
Signs for all to see
I can’t run no more
With that lawless crowd
While the killers in high places
Say their prayers out loud
But they’ve summoned, they’ve summoned up
A thundercloud
And they’re going to hear from me
Ring the bells (ring the bells) that still can ring
Forget your perfect offering
There is a crack in everything (there is a crack in everything)
That’s how the light gets in
BODHISATTVA PRAYER FOR HUMANITY
Shantideva
May I be a guard for those who need protection,
A guide for those on the path,
A boat, a raft, a bridge for those who wish to cross the flood.
May I be a lamp in the darkness,
A resting place for the weary,
A healing medicine for all who are sick
A vase of plenty, a tree of miracles.
And for the boundless multitudes of living beings
May I bring sustenance and awakening,
Enduring like the earth and sky
Until all beings are freed from sorrow
And all are awakened.