Praying

My youth group kids had a Disciple Now weekend kickoff last night at a local Baptist church. ((it goes without saying that Southern Baptist is radically different from the "Maine" Baptists, but I perservere)) It's a neat concept, an Interfaith Experience with all the youth groups in town meeting for fellowship, mission projects, and fun. The other youth group leaders and I have bonded, and I think that since the kids go to school together and are friends with everyone, why the separate islands?? It's nice to get together.

So, last night the speaker got in from Nashville TN and got up to talk. He is young, about late 20's early 30's, dressed in jeans and an untucked white button up shirt, sleeves undone and flapping as he spoke, hair a bit gelled and spiky, tousled and looking "cool". He started talking, and the kids were rustling and some not paying attention...then, he got them. It was amazing. He really connected with them, and started talking about how God is not a tired counselor, a bored listener, and always has time for them. That no prayer is insignificant, no conversation with him unheard. If he knows every hair on your head and your name before you were born, he knows you, and wants to hear from you. Quite a concept for some of these kids that were taught not to bother God with little stuff because he is busy with the big stuff.

I, myself, pray outloud a lot. I feel closer to God when I am outside, especially in the sunshine or the moonlight. Or, just sitting up in the middle of my bed, cross-legged, in the middle of the night, just talking. I have even had what some mystics refer to as rapturous moments, but, after studying the release of certain chemicals in the brain that are pleasurable when in moments of deep meditation, I suppose it was more of a brain feeling than being touched by the spirit or an angel.. but, hey, I didn't knock it. I have only told a few people about the sensation, it has only happened a few times, but when it did, it was amazing. As if you don't dare to breathe nor exhale...it is like a warm cloud of soft electricity embracing your every cell. Just amazing. Better than an orgasm, better than a good buzz from a great bottle of wine, just this overwhelming feeling of contentment and pleasure. Really wild stuff, and I had previously thought it a bunch of silliness.... until it actually happened to me.

The first time, I was berefit...had a kid that was going through a lot of struggle, all alone a 1000 miles from home, and an ex-husband too wrapped up in his golf game and his new wife to help. I sat up in my bed, pitch black at night, and prayed outloud. And talked, and pleaded, and begged God to get off his ass and help me. Then I started to be thankful for what WAS good, and what was going well. I listed everyone and everything I was grateful for. I prayed for everyone I could think of, to nations to family, and just prayed like there was no end to prayer. Then, that indescribable feeling. I was overwhelmed, and scared, but then peaceful. And, then, I got it. What Rumi wrote about centuries before, and mystics after. There are studies and I can't recall them now, but actual physiological and psychological studies about this phenomena and it is tied to a place in the brain that releases endorphins much like what happens when people run and "hit the wall", that rush that flows over a runner's body that is pleasurable and allows them that extra oomph to run more.

So, I watch these kids. I know that probably half have tried alcohol and pot, and many more will in the future. What if someone could talk them into trying to get this natural high? How wild would that be. Instead of the moronic kids huffing inhalants, getting into trouble for DUI's and possession of pot, what if they all sat around in ashrams and meditated and prayed to get this kind of free, healthy high? I used to roll my eyes at the concerts of Christian Rock bands, and think that it was ridiculous...but, now that I am more in touch with the Christian side vs. the Spiritual side, is there really something that we intrinsically need as humans?

I have a dear friend going through alcohol addiction, and he says that you absolutely cannot quit without a deep spiritual commitment.

with so few people today taking religion seriously these days, it makes you wonder. Not so much the dogma, the "give us your money and you'll be saved"..but the old fashioned, sit home and be still.... pray... spend time just talking to the ultimate source of all live, which I feel, is simply LOVE. Love, the love for all sentient beings (buddha) Love for all (Jesus) Love of parents, friends, family, the pet and the ant on the sidewalk. Just as the Beatles sang, all you need is love.

so, if you happen upon this post today, it is my wish that you go find a great quiet place each day to just be still and pray. and that you will someday feel that cool feeling, and realize that whether there is just one central energy source that created all of us of if it just happened, there is power and energy in prayer and it will certainly help you and never hurt you. So, pray.