In the intricate dance of existence, the self often twirls, lost within its own rhythm, yearning for a harmony with the divine. Prayer, that sacred symphony of the soul, becomes a bridge between the human and the holy, an intimate whisper in the cosmic ear, seeking illumination, fortitude, and wisdom.
The Sacred Surrender: A Dance of Wills
“Align my will with thy will,” sings the heart.
This profound plea echoes through the corridors of time, resonating with the wisdom of ancient scriptures. The Bhagavad Gita paints a vivid portrait of this surrender when Lord Krishna counsels Arjuna, “Cast off all dharma, seek refuge in me alone. I shall liberate you from all sins, grieve not.” (BG 18.66). This sentiment finds a reflection in Gnostic texts as well, where the Gospel of Thomas advises, “When you make the two one, and when you make the inside like the outside and the outside like the inside… then you will enter [the Kingdom].” (Thomas 22).
To align the self with the divine is not to renounce one’s essence or to become a dormant spectator of life’s spectacle. Rather, it is to surrender ego-driven yearnings, welcoming a higher calling, a purpose weaving the individual thread into a grand, divine tapestry.
Will vs Expectations: A Cosmic Dichotomy
In the celestial theater of life, will and expectations often play contrasting roles.
As Kahlil Gibran eloquently illuminates in ‘The Prophet,’ “Your longing for the land that meets the sea is your highest expectation. It is the blueprint of your ultimate achievement.”
Expectations, born from societal molds and personal desires, define our life’s objectives — the coveted job, the windfall fortune, the ideal partner, or the perfect form. They are not inherently flawed, but they are finite. They spring from a garden rooted in scarcity and fear, rather than the fertile soil of abundance and love.
Will, in contrast, is the soul’s song of sacrifice and surrender. It is the burning desire to ascend toward a higher purpose, bravely shedding the cocoon of comfort, venturing into the vast unknown. The Gnostic Gospel of Philip beautifully articulates this concept, saying, “Those who say they will die first and then rise are in error. If they do not first receive the resurrection while they live, when they die they will receive nothing.”
The Inner Compass: Praying from the Heart
How does one find this will, this inner compass, when it’s often veiled by the clamor of expectations and desires?
The answer, a silent whisper, echoes within. As Rumi, the 13th-century Persian poet, wisely states, “What you seek is seeking you.” Instead of praying for gilded signs of abundance, pray for the luminous manifestation of your inherent worth in the world.
Transform the prayer from, “Grant me a job that pays well,” to, “Guide me to honor my potential and contribute meaningfully to this cosmic dance.” This profound shift transforms prayer from an act of seeking to a journey of divine discovery.
Prayer, in this sacred space of authenticity and humility, aligns us with the rhythmic flow of abundance, love, and wisdom. It becomes a process of self-discovery, a harmonious dance with the divine.
In this grand cosmic ballet, aligning our will with the divine helps us uncover our purpose and realize our potential. It transfigures our prayer from a ritual of seeking to a voyage of self-discovery, surrender, and ultimately, a celebration of our divine duet.
“I asked for strength, and God gave me difficulties to make me strong. I asked for wisdom, and God gave me problems to solve. I asked for prosperity, and God gave me a brain and brawn to work.” – Swami Vivekananda
Let us dance to the divine melody, seeking not merely earthly bounty but wisdom, strength, and the courage to radiate our highest potential in this grand waltz of existence.