The Help In Peril
The Self-Subsisting
A short prayer.
Hey there, Curiosophy kids, this is your cureditor Aaron McNally. Please excuse my raspy voice — I'm struggling with a little bit of a cold. Haven't taken a COVID test or anything. I do think it's simply a head cold. Today I’m going to simply recite a short prayer that I frequently say. This is a Baha'i prayer. Baha'i is a form of modern Islam that's particularly progressive and liberal, and is dedicated to equality and (social) justice.
I think I've made this prayer gender-neutral, already. But I’m going to be using the G-O-D word, and I know a lot of people bristle at that. The post-enlightenment concept of a masculine deity has left a sour taste in people's mouths following the Patriarchal traditions of the Catholic and Orthodox churches. I do understand that, so feel free to substitute the term “God” with “Source,” or whatever it is that you wish to substitute it with. I’m not personally fully satisfied with “Universe” for a number of reasons, or “Cosmos.” I could get into that and, in fact, I might write an article about that at some point.
The Baha'i say this prayer at least once a day This is part of their daily prayer regimen. There's another word in this — “worship” — and perhaps you might think of something like “Love.” To worship is to give something its due — to offer reverence for something's sacred or divine nature. I understand people have issues with that because of authorities sort of being tyrannical. So we need to sit with it. But I sometimes substitute “worship” with “Love.” Ah, but when I say “Love,” I mean not only Eros or Philia. I also mean Agape. Love being this sort of participation in having proper affection for and attenuation to the other, so it involves some sacrificial elements. Some compromise. Some patience.
And then there's going to be the thing that everybody hates about AA — the powerlessness. I'm not going to get into that right now. Just think of it as a challenge to your individual ego. I think that's probably the best way to think about it. Me deciding that doing whatever I want to do maybe isn't actually going to work — I actually need the help of other people, and I need some kind of appreciation for something outside myself. So, without further ado, Here's the prayer:
I Bear Witness, O My God, that thou Hast created me to know thee and to love thee.
I Testify, at this moment, to my powerlessness
and to thine might. My poverty and thine wealth.
There art none other God but thee. The help in peril. The self-subsisting.
Thanks for checking in, Curiosophy Now listeners. It's always a happy occurrence for me to welcome you here, and to have you in my company. I appreciate your attention. Have a wonderful week. Happy Moonday. À Bientôt. Ciao.