February 10, 2007

Language is Prayer

I have been keeping this blog up for what seems like a long time now. Often, especially lately, I find myself asking, "Why do I do this?" I have thoughts about scrapping this project, as I really haven't taken the time lately to nurture friendships like I used to. I haven't been putting out a lot of effort on this blog as I find my energies going in many other directions. Yet, something keeps drawing me back with just one more entry. Kind comments from readers let me know that what I offer is received. Writing is a small way of reaching out, to share something of myself and something greater than myself. Writing is a way to be close to others, and close to God.

This month, in the Shambhala Sun magazine, Norman Fischer writes about this very notion:

Years ago I went to the Wailing Wall in Jerusalem and did what all tourists there do: wrote some words on a scrap of paper that I tucked into a crevice in the wall. When I closed my eyes and touched my head to the warm stone, it came to me: “All language is prayer.” This must be so. Who is it we are speaking to when we speak to anyone? To that person, and also past him or her to Out There. If there is language, it means there is the possibility of being heard, being met, being loved. And reaching out to be heard, met, or loved is a holy act. Language is holy.

Norman Fischer, Shambhala Sun, March 2007

12 comments:

Anonymous said...

A lovely reflection :) If language is prayer, then the language of silence is also a prayer, in the no-space of no-thought, no-language is also a prayer. Everything we do or say or think is a prayer, if the intention is there, otherwise we are praying to ourselves.

Peace and Blessings!

Constance said...

Meredith,
That was a beautiful quote from Norman Fischer. I felt the healing in it as I read it, and the love and the eloquent sincerity and truth. Language is indeed holy.
I hope you keep writing here. You have a gift to touch people's lives. What you do here matters. It is very much received. And appreciated.
With our comments, may we be able to feed your soul with gentle kindness is return...

Joe said...

"And reaching out to be heard, met, or loved is a holy act."

Meredith, your wholeness comes through as you reach out to us. From what I can tell, you are heard, met and loved here, in a warm and soulful way.

Jon said...

Thanks for sharing that wonderful quote. I think I'll use it on my main blog. (Opening quote's been due for a change for some time now.)

Rerun said...

Meredith,
I too have been touched many times by your posts here. I also understand the difficulty of maintaining an ongoing presence on the net. I suppose we all struggle with this. I have gone for weeks at a time in the past without a posts. Hopefully that won't happen too often.
I hope to see you around here for some time to come. It has been a blessing.

Constance said...

Happy Valentine's Day to you and Joe, Meredith !

Anonymous said...

Meredith,

I know what you mean about maybe stopping blogging, but then being pulled back in. I feel the same thing for at least two reasons... first, while I have a strong community of like-minded people here in Virginia, blogging expands that to include wonderful people from around the world. Second, blogging, with all of its restrictions, somehow is offering a potential to be something bigger, something more important than it is in its current form.

I hope you do not go away. We need you here.

Meredith said...

"Kind comments from readers let me know that what I offer is received."

Again and again. Thank you dear readers, participating in the shared language prayer.

ashley said...

Dear Meredith,

I join the songs of appreciating your presence. Sometimes I think of blogging as like visiting with old friends. You can show up as whoever you are, sharing whatever feels right for right now... and the connection exists with vibrancy regardless of timliness and consistancy. It's about the relationships.

with love,
ashley

brad4d said...

in Snow Crash, Neil Stephenson explores the concept of language as application(s). Sumarian is the language destroyed by "The Tower of Babel" episode so it is used by the "Evil" plot to reprogram minds.
It is the appreciation expressed that praises. Too many pray with requests as if creation wasn't perfect.

Anonymous said...

Definitely agree with loving annie about the healing in it... I felt it too.

You'd be surprised what a difference a post can make... you're probably touching so many people who just don't have time or bother to comment. I'm looking forward to reading more of your blog.

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much for your beautiful insight/sight. You comment that you wonder if what you say is worth saying...will anyone read it...I ask you to please continue. You have a lovely way with words. I feel fortunate that I found your blogspot this evening.