SOURCE OF ALL BLESSINGS,
you bless us with departures–
for they are a necessary part of our
journey, necessary for arriving.
May I be always ready to take
leave, always aware that every
arrival is a prelude to departure,
every birth a step toward dying,
and may I thus taste the blessing of
being fully present where I am.
Sense how it feels to honor the inevitability and gift of departures. When we acknowledge and appreciate the leave-takings in our lives, we cultivate resilience and welcome the wisdom of impermanence.
In each of the blessings shared in the Summer Blessings: Practice Series II, Br. David has followed a pattern — “first expressing delight in a blessing received, following with a resolution to pass it on.” We invite you to continue this pattern in your own life. Allow yourself to notice and delight in the blessings that surround you. Then, filled and inspired by the celebration, pass it on so that the blessings flow through and from you with heart and great-fullness.
We thank you for blessing us with your time and presence. We are grateful.
How has the practice of taking in and sharing blessings impacted or inspired you? We’d love to hear from you in the reflection area below…
Enjoy the full eight-day Summer Blessings II practice series.
Br. David Steindl-Rast
The week of blessings was such a gift. Thank you. It came at a particularly difficult dry spell…. but through them I could begin to sense the rhythms of life again and appreciate the gift of each day and of present.
I notice that when I am rested I can remain in the arena of blessings. I also notice that I do better as an anonymous voice. I appreciate seeing that this is a daily practice that is easier if we take all the good that comes our way and allow it to flow out even to those who might harbor a negativity towards us. Blessings, like water, can carve a path through stone. By passing them on we melt hearts and minds of those we are fortunate to meet on the path.
A haiku doesn’t talk about an experience;
a haiku triggers an experience.
—- Bro David Steindl-Rast
As in haiku, so is blessings.
Both uses the same platform of engaging our senses;hear,see,smell,taste and feel.
Stoke awareness and deepen observations.
I enjoyed both the haiku practice and the blessings practice. Perhaps more with the smorgasbord haiku practice which I find memorable and enjoyable. The blessing practice was more like a targeted dish named blessings, though enjoyable still.
Deep gratitude to bro David and the dedicated team that make this inspirational gift available. Heartening gift for the soul;for people who live quiet desperate lives, even for blessed lives, from mundane to busy lives.
Sharing by readers also provide inspiration and comfort.
As in painting, so is poetry.
Thank you for the blessed 8 day practice and I look forward to what’s next.
The giving and taking, the leaving and coming…such wonderful rhythms of life. This week of blessings has been wonderful. Just being reminded to breathe was so helpful. Thank you.
I loved this. I bought the book and read two blessings a day (I can never stop reading just one, my eyes just move to the second page. I have kept a gratitude journal for years now, but adapted the style to how Br. David does them here (and in the book). That little difference has added new life and richness to the daily practice. We are all blessed by this workshop, and in so many ways by this Network and all of Br. David’s work.
Thank you for this wondrous mini-retreat of blessings!
They are all around us to explore and bless us if I stay awake, aware and listen to my life. Thank you for all who shared their insights and wisdom-another blessing experienced..
The eight days practice in receiving and sharing blessings is an unforgettable journey. Everyday I looked forward with anticipation, the newness of another subject as a source of blessing for all of us. The varying topics encouraged and inspired me to look deep within to visualize and determine in which manner I experienced them as a true blessing for myself and my brothers and sisters in Christ. In addition, a deep appreciation and connection was felt to the comments and feelings expressed by fellow contributors in this practice. At times, I found the need to affirm to others and know that affirmations made on my behalf are appreciated and soothing to the heart! I am truly thankful and blessed to have participated in this endeavor! Sincere expressions of gratitude go to gratefulness.org for making it possible! Blessings to all of you!
Deep bow of gratitude for this gentle eight day practice, like a mini-retreat. I was with Br. David in 2007 at a full Christian-Buddhist retreat at Tassajara which was truly filled with joy and gratefulness. One of the great wisdom teachers of our time.
These 8 days of blessings have all been beautiful, thank-you! This site, gratefulness.org, has so profoundly impacted my life! I have come to appreciate and not take for granted the overwhelming abundance of blessings in my life! Learning to be grateful has truly transformed my life more than anything. Br. David and everyone at gratefulness.org, I say thank-you from my heart!? God bless you. Namaste.
With love, Sheila?