A New Heart

True religion is the singular relationship between the human soul and the Soul of God. Colossal monuments have been raised to glorify the divine, but the only sanctuary God enters is the human heart, whose door is opened by soul-felt longing.

Sacred texts have been written in every language to honor the lives and teachings of those few who have been in true union with God. But the music and lingering fragrance of a visit with God can only be described by one who has received this Holy Guest.

Prayers may be read, spoken, sung, invoked through incense and gesture, but only the earnest soul’s plea, however brief, is heard by God’s Ear.

Moral laws have governed billions of people for thousands of years, but God’s one Law of Love fulfills every single demand for leading a virtuous life.

You may find evidence of God in the majesty of Nature and infinity of Space, but only in the eyes of humanity do you see a pure reflection of the Divine and the object of God’s immortal Love.

We have the ability to listen as well as to speak. To observe and respond in equal measure to events unfolding before us clues us in to life’s mysteries. Truth, beauty, and love inform us of our higher self, its aspirations and capabilities.

We are for one another a miraculous event, each deserving of honor, respect, and reverence. In such a sacred space, the listening heart is heard, awakening soul consciousness in all of us. In this space, God and the world are reconciled.

Surrounding the borders of my island, familiar and safe, vast emptiness stretches in every direction. Whether earth or sea matters not, it is the unknown.

I have been here only a while. The last was full of doing, everyday, something for someone. Yes, I am happy to help. I see the need. It came as no surprise when I was told that my help would no longer be needed. I shared what was important to those left behind, and kept what was important to me – friendships, my daughter’s painting of the twins, talismans from a decade of usefulness.

Love is the manna that sustains in the emptiness. It is the trail of breadcrumbs that leads to the next oasis. It is the foundation of the altar I build, a little higher each day, from which I might see the need of all humanity.

Imagine, seeing the miracle in the mirror – face-to-face with what is good and right on time. Here, now, I am enough to keep my end of the bargain.

Don’t turn away. Stay with me through all the stories, truth and fiction. Help me sort them out, so that I can see the miracle in you, every day.

 It is the soul – the “who” and “what” of our being – that speaks to this world, overtalking beliefs and words. It is the soul that leaves our true footprint.

 I want my heart to be in plain sight, I want to speak a language that is alive with love. Not the love that rises and falls on beliefs and words, as leaf on wind, but love that withstands the storm, as the ancient oak.

 What is real love? It is what binds us to humanity despite our weaknesses. I am in awe of this beautiful and terrible thing for how it raises us up and the depths to which it plunges us – a balancing act between eternal light and the suffering that sees nothing but its own loss.

 “I love you” does no justice to what is alive and beating within my heart. I commit myself to the arms of mercy that forgive us all our imperfect love.

Blame sustains a sense of powerlessness. Judgment defers the power of now.

Judgment is a human byproduct. God, in eternal love and wisdom, does not judge, but upholds our highest purpose, always merciful with our weaknesses. In the now, we engage with God, and our sisters and brothers, with awareness that change is possible in every moment – we are never stuck in one place. 

In my freedom to change, a pervasive sense of peace engages my soul and mind with the power of love available to me in this moment. I will accept all that I can hold until I can hold more.

I’m keeping my date waiting: God, on the other side of the door, not saying a word.

It’s true, I’m ashamed of my imperfections. I feel unworthy of this greatest of all loves. This physical body shapes my aspirations, directs my will, inspires my beliefs. What measure have I given to God?

“What do You see in me?” Begging for answers, the door still closed. A fine aspiration gracefully rises within me and takes shape. Visible now, I see, precisely, the part I play in our dance. “Do not avert your eyes from what I love,” God whispers.

With trembling hands, I open the door.

I woke from a dream last night that showed me how I need to trust my mother’s love more, that this will help us work together. I do not know how to say this to her, so I make a wonderful chili for her to eat, full of flavor. She helps herself to seconds, even thirds!

The hands that reach out to me are strong and sure, the voice encouraging, even if a little impatient. Caught up in her confidence, I follow my mother up the mountain, against my better judgment. I am afraid of getting lost, and being alone. In this moment, all my fears are magnified in this one possibility.

As I suspect, my brothers and cousins have gone ahead, my mother out of sight. I cry and cry, lost and alone, until she comes with soothing reassurances that she is right here.

All these years later, I must remember that she does not owe me a sense of security. She is only my mother, full of love, happy to see me every morning.

I love her humanity. I pray it helps me accept my own.

It’s a gentle day. The sun’s light, thin through passing clouds, is warm, kind. My skin soaks in this blessed Earth. My heart opens in Her safe embrace.

Watching the constant business of ants, I am at peace with the business of the world. I breathe the perfume of benevolence between Earth and Spirit, a synchronicity of life and energy. My senses rest in the beauty unfolding before me.

Blessed sun, I raise my hopes as the plant raises its arms to you. Fulfill my deep secret dreams, hidden even to myself. Wind, take the breath of my prayers to the four directions, and whisper their meaning back to me in the voices of the world, in the beating of human hearts. Soundlessly, our aspirations fill the ether, otherworldly stars in God’s eyes.

I submit myself to learn to breathe in rhythm once again, one cell in this living universe. Will of goodness, overtake my discontent and heal my fear, that I may draw upon the deep peace that stills the illusion of haste and madness. Make me transparent in Your Breath – inhale love, exhale goodness.

You, who serve God’s desire that all return to Love’s Hearth, keep company in my prayer: Let me exude loving kindness into the world to touch its colder parts. Strengthen my small light that others may recognize within themselves hope, kindness, love, peace and faith – all that is blessedly human.

In love, I thank you God, Earth, angels, comrades, for the mirror of Your Light and Love, where the business of ants goes on uninterrupted.

Amada Reza
December 30, 2009