Prayer?

[riccichan]

Hello

Comments

[catmcroy]

Almost anything can be spiritual, if you look at it the right way.
For example, I knit and I find that knitting is very soothing, so I can meditate while knitting. Needles dance, yarn passes through my fingers, repeat. Plus knot magic is one of the oldest kinds of magic out there.

[riccichan]

I've never looked at it that way. I make a lot of wrist bands for friends or people who appreciate them, which is also very relaxing and makes me feel satisfied, in a roundabout way. I never considered this to be spiritual - thanks for pointing it out to me!

[catmcroy]

You're welcome :)

I'd like to recommend the book "Knitting Heaven and Earth: Healing the heart with craft" by Susan Gordon Lydon (it's not just about knitting - she talks a lot about fibre arts in general and how they enhance her spirituality), oh and she published a prequel to it called "The Knitting Sutra". I own them both and they are valued parts of my magical library.

[riccichan]

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll add it to my booklist, it sounds quite interesting. In winter, I also like to knit scarves for my friends. I'll be sure to check it out!

[eve_the_just]

I think it depends on your personal relationship with your deity. I'm more about casual conversation. Respectul, like with a boss or a teacher, but not ritualized or pompous (which was an excellent word for it).

I think you need to find what works for you.

[riccichan]

That's true. Sometimes I think it's my christian background which demands dogma and prayer and the like. Before I did my first ritual, I was very 'shy', somehow. It took my ages to take the first hesitant step into practice and discover that worship and ritual is not about perfection.

Casual conversation, eh? I think I'll try that, too, and see how I feel about it. Thank you!

[wulfmadchen]

The Carmina Gadelica has some awesome examples of religious prayer and song woven into everyday things. The language is poetic but simple and unpretentious. It was originally written in Scottish Gaelic, but translations to English (which could probably be re-translated to German if you so desired) for at least the first section are readily available on the internet.

[riccichan]

Jotted down on my ever growing book list - thank you! The interlending service at my university is pretty good for getting even obscure sources. I'll check it out!

[backwardsgirl]

I usually do so by singing, doesnt really matter what, the important thing for me is to sing from my heart, and mostly its not really words, just sounds, but my path is all about connecting to the divine through estatic expression, dance, singing, music, if I can disappear in them, then that is my aim.

You can usually hear me singing everywhere, walking down the street, on the bus, riding my bike, I'm sure some people must think Im some crazy girl who thinks she's in a musical!

[riccichan]

I'm smiling as I read this - I wouldn't think you strange at all! For me, it sounds difficult to just sing sounds. I think I'd be lost without lyrics to go by! But there are a lot of beautiful pagan songs which I also like to sing for ritual.

Thanks for the input! :)

[openhands]

Prayer is a big part of my religious practice and it's not something I see addressed as often as it could be, I think

second that

[urthlvr]

cei's book is a very good book about prayer, hows and whys and a nice variety of prayers to choose from.

Re: second that

[riccichan]

Added to the Book List - thanks for recommending it! :)

[riccichan]

Thank you for the recommendation, added it to my book list and will check it out! I'm also not really talented in writing lyrics or prose, so any source that helps in this regard will be greatly appreciated.

Sometimes I think it's strange that I feel the need to pray at all. I used to be a devout little christian when I was younger, and though I did pray every evening, I never really felt the need to. I always thought God wasn't listening anyway, I have to admit.

Thanks for your input! :)