A prayer for the earth

Pablo Neruda, "Prayers for the Earth"

For once on the face of the earth let's not speak in any language
Let's stop for one second and not move our arms so much.
It would be an exotic moment without rush, without engines.
We would all be together in a sudden strangeness.
Fisherman in the cold sea would not harm whales
And the man gathering salt would look at his hurt hands.
Those who prepare green wars, wars with gas, wars with fire,
Victory with no survivors
Would put on clean clothes and walk about with their brothers
    in the shade doing nothing.
What I want should not be confused with total inactivity,
Life is what it is about.
I want no truck with death.
If we were not so single minded about keeping our lives moving,
And for once could do nothing,
Perhaps a huge silence might interrupt this sadness of never
    understanding ourselves
And of threatening ourselves with death.
Perhaps the earth can teach us when everything seems dead
    and later proves to be alive.

*****************************************************************************

From the prayer vigil community I learn to …

• ...raise the level of tolerance to pioneer in a new consciousness.
• ...leave the dogma and proselytizing behind.
• ...allow yourself the opportunity to stretch to see other points of view.
• ...do more than share your faiths, traditions and customs – take it to the next level of honoring diversity.
• ...stretch beyond our own comfort zones to participate in the grand experiment to practice tolerance and peace.
• ...listen.
• ...be respectful and honor others without judgment.
• ...focus on our commonalities.
• ...focus on our relationship with the earth.
• ...let go of differences and separateness.
• ...BE in the place we are CHOSING to co-create.
• ...invite and encourage youth dialogues.
• ...participate in interfaith, multi-cultural dialogue. 

From the Native Peoples – “We are all related”

From the Christian tradition – “Where two or more are gathered in God’s name”

From the Jewish and Islamic traditions – “There is only one God”

And from all other traditions not mentioned – “Unity and Understanding” 

Eternal and infinite love to all of you !

*akasha*

Mike Oldfield – Prayer for the Earth