"Yahweh", according to the Jewish tradition is the unspeakable name of God; not to be spoken but breathed. Incredibly, with focused intention you may hear the actual sound as you inhale and exhale. Richard Rohr, offers a beautiful revelation, that from the moment of our birth to our very last breath we breathe our Beloved’s sacred name. Paradoxically, throughout our lives we seek Love outside ourselves when all the while God is a close as our next breath!

In meditation, or contemplative prayer, we focus attention on the ebb and flow of our breathing. This is one reason this practice seems so crucial to
restoring balance and harmony in mind, body and spirit. Throughout the day, when stressful situations or anxieties arise we can pause to take a deep cleansing breath and release the worry and stress from our bodies.

Our thoughts are more powerful than we realize. Thich Naht Hahn describes our mind as being very porous. Just like our skin we are susceptible to what we are exposed to, which is why it is important to pay attention to what you absorb. When we are surrounded by negative energy what is the consequences? Hahn encourages us to water the seeds of our thoughts with Loving intention.

To sit quietly and to focus our attention on the rise and fall of each breath draws us into communion. As a myriad of thoughts manifest we do not resist, judge or hold on but allow them to pass like clouds in an ocean of sky.

I AM

I was regretting the past
and fearing the future.
Suddenly my Lord was speaking:
"My name is I am"
He paused.
I waited. He continued,
"When you live in the past
with its mistakes and regrets,
it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WAS.

When you live in the future,
with its problems and fears,
it is hard. I am not there.
My name is not I WILL BE.

When you live in this moment
it is not hard. I am here,
My name is I AM."

                                                        By Helen Mallicoat

~liz Sorensen Wessel

Note: polyprint watercolor by ~liz