Anyone who knows me well knows that I’m a bit of a YouTube junkie. Lately, I’ve been listening a lot to Marilynne Robinson and, of course, Iain McGilchrist.
McGilchrist talks a lot about prayer as being a means to reconnect with the world, and to enhance our participation in it.
I’m in strong agreement, although I will say I disagree with him on one point.
Following St. Francis of Assisi, our sage of Skye suggests that we skip on the supplication.
That is, we ask for nothing.
In spirit, I agree with this, if for no other reason than that I don’t trust myself to want what’s really good for me.
But there are three things I ask for every day.
Mercy
Forgiveness and
Guidance
One of my self-written mantra prayers reads thusly:
My God, Please allow me to see
what’s being revealed to me.
I find that this upgrades my mindfulness to McGilchrist levels.
He sees attention as a moral act.
That is, what we choose to pay attention to guides our entire cognition — thus choosing unwisely can be unhelpful to ourselves and those around us.
So there’s my little spiel. I hope you’re all doing well!
Affectionately,
Aaron