Photography as Meditation: The Friday Flower. Sometimes just photos. Sometimes with writing. Appearing on Fridays.
© 2009 Mahala Mazerov
These flowers, liatris, make me think of candles. The small flowers bloom on long wands from the top to the bottom. To me it’s like flames and wax dripping down. I actually thought one name for them was candle flower, but that’s another plant entirely. Liatris are also know as “blazing stars.”
They remind me of all of the candlelight vigils I’ve ever attended — Kent State University, where I was a student not long after the 1970 shootings. Antiwar protests. Nuclear disarmament. Vigils with the local Tibetan community. Chanting for peace.
I don’t think I’ve ever been in a candlelight vigil under clear skies. There always seemed an endurance test of wind and weather to solidify calling of the heart. It was so hard to keep a candle lit.
Sweet bonds were formed in those moments when we shared our candle flames with one another. No matter how soaked or cold we were, that simple act of rekindling another candle was part of what made the endurance worthwhile.
I have the flu and my candle is flickering a little. I’m doing my practices but there’s not a lot of fire behind them.
I want to tell you something that took me a long time to realize, because I was so focused on trying to save the world.
I am a bringer of blessings, but I can also rest and be a receiver. The same is true for you.
I know you have things you care about. Causes and people that depend on you. But you are not alone. You’re not the only one.
Every day there are people working and praying for the benefit of all beings. May all beings be happy and safe. May they be healthy. May they have everything they need.
It’s so easy to forget when you’re making these prayers, doing good work in the world, that you are also part of all beings. The prayers and the work are for you, too.
Keep a tiny light glowing inside of you. It doesn’t always have to be a blazing fire. Sometimes all you can do is keep a small ember from going out entirely. And if you can’t do even that, don’t worry. Someone will come along, share their flame, and get you glowing again.
When your light is flickering, for whatever reason, know at this very moment you can drink in the efforts and aspirations for your well being.
Someone is working and praying on your behalf at this very moment.
{ 9 comments… read them below or add one }
mahala,
i soooo look forward to receiving your email on your new friday flower posts! your words today brought such warmth to my heart and a smile to my face! tho, i’m sorry to hear you got the flu…be well soon my dear, “someone is working and praying on your behalf at this very moment”.
hazel
hazel colditz´s last blog ..A call to YOUTH
Thank you and may you rest and be a receiver.
Just lovely. I will light a candle for you and all beings today. May you be well, may you rest in peace, here and now. Amen.
Constance Casey´s last blog ..Care for Karma
I have a deep resistance to receiving from others. This culture places such great value on self-sufficiency, it’s easy for me to forget that receiving allows the circle of giving to be completed. There’s a spiritual connection that happens when I allow someone else to be generous with me, and I experience and share gratitude. I think everyone has felt like a candle in the windy cold night. I know I have. We are lights for each other. Thank you for sharing your light with us, Mahala, and I hope you feel better soon.
Ann
Dear Mahala,
I hope you flu will be soon over all the est.
The Liatris or blazing stars nice friday flowers
We all are candles every one of us have their light shining.
We all are receiving every day.
We all are giving every day.
It is good you share with us these nice massages
That we are grateful for when we receive and give.
Thanks Mahala have a nice day.
Virginia.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I needed this.
Tracy´s last blog ..Reflection: Beginning, and Beginning, and Beginning
Hazel, LaShae, Constance, Ann, Virginia and Tracy ~ Please accept a long distance, germ free hug from me. I’m moving slowly. Sleeping a lot.
We’ve all been trained that it’s better to give than to receive. If you add in the wish to to do good in the world this is even further multiplied. I believe women in particular have taken this on to the point where we don’t even know how to rest and receive.
Are you better at giving than receiving? Are you able to do both with equal grace?
Sending warm blessings of love, healing and rest for you, dear Mahala. And breathing in the fragrant blessings that surround us all. May you be well, peaceful, and happy.
Love, Hiro
Hiro Boga´s last blog ..Sunday Poem #8
Dear Mahala,
Mahala drink a lot of water and green thee.
I hope you will be better soon .
I am glad to hear from you.
Let you candle light shining.
I wish you all the best Mahala.
Have a nice day.
Virginia.