"Evensong: Short Sword (25 Meditations for the Warrior-in-Training)"

This is a string of prayers, meditations, and slogans that I practice in the presence of God each evening.  Most of the time, I pray through it while I'm driving home from work at the end of each day.  Take what's useful to you, make it uniquely your own, and discard the rest.

Peace out, y'all.  I hope you have a great weekend!

Bling



(1)
Inspired by the Writings of Dan Millman

Honor The House Rules:
Rule 1: Life is paradox—make peace with this fact.
Rule 2: Humor is your greatest weapon—use it as often as you can.  In life, play the Humorous Old Fool and, in time, the Baboon of All Things Serious and the Jackass of Discontent, Insensitivity, and Rigid Dogmaticism will cease to exist.
Rule 3: Nothing stays the same; everything changes.  Learn to recognize change as it’s happening, and don’t resist it.  When the winds of change blow, be like the willow, and bend with the breeze.


(2)

Accept, choose, and embrace what is and whatever arises with enlightened wisdom—that is, without judgment, without resistance, without attachment.  Welcome it with unconditional friendliness.  Forgive eagerly, completely, and freely all those who’ve hurt you in your life, and, in as much as it’s up to you, make your peace…with God, with everything, and with everyone—including yourself.  Cause no harm.  Deescalate your aggression (especially toward yourself and toward those you love and care about), and let go of all defensiveness.  Pay attention to your efforts to preserve who it is you think you are as well as your efforts to hold on to that which you think is yours.  Recognize, also, when you’re beginning to engage in abusive or discursive self-talk, and, in those moments, be kind to yourself, engage your wisdom mind, surround and rise above your thoughts, and make peace in and with the present moment by keeping an open heart and by not shutting down.  Breathe in the sufferings of others, and die again and again and again with each outbreath. Be a conduit of God's loving-kindness, joy, compassion, and equanimity.  Slow down, pay attention to your surroundings, acknowledge what’s happening and what’s being “put out there,” and, with uplifted head and shoulders, be who you are, and be mindful in every act.  Side-step attacks (if at all possible), absorb direct blows like water, and, when the storms come (and they will come), be like the willow, and bend with the breeze, looking to God and remembering that, as with everything, “this, too, shall pass.”  Practice.  Practice everything…practice all the time…even when you’re distracted, discouraged, tired, or just don’t feel like it. Discover the wisdom of “no escape”—that is, of staying on the spot, leaning in to the sharp things, and making friends with your hopes and your fears.  Go to the places that scare you, relax into your own groundlessness, hold nothing back, and be happy…all the time…without a reason in the world.
…
No judgments…no resistance…no attachments.
No judgments…no resistance…no attachments.
No judgments…no resistance…no attachments.
…
No complaints, no criticisms, no tantrums.
No complaints, no criticisms, no tantrums.
No complaints, no criticisms, no tantrums.
…
No bitterness, no pettiness, no resentment.
No bitterness, no pettiness, no resentment.
No bitterness, no pettiness, no resentment.
…
No lies—none! Life and death are in the power of the tongue.  Speak the truth in love.
No lies—none!  Life and death are in the power of the tongue.  Speak the truth in love.
No lies—none!  Life and death are in the power of the tongue.  Speak the truth in love.
…
Never do for others what they can do for themselves.  Never.  Only do that which has been asked for...after careful consideration.
Never do for others what they can do for themselves.  Never.  Only do that which has been asked for...after careful consideration.
Never do for others what they can do for themselves.  Never.  Only do that which has been asked for...after careful consideration.
…
Live and act from a place of either acceptance, enjoyment, or enthusiasm.
Live and act from a place of either acceptance, enjoyment, or enthusiasm.
Live and act from a place of either acceptance, enjoyment, or enthusiasm.
…
Be happy…all the time…without a reason in the world.
Be happy…all the time…without a reason in the world.
Be happy…all the time…without a reason in the world.


(3)

A warrior practices everything. He relinquishes his pride, he lays down his efforts to orchestrate his life, he cleans up his habits, he lets go of attachments, he becomes increasingly mindful of his emotional states and of his connection to all things, and he takes responsibility for his thoughts, feelings, and actions (and nothing more than that).  A warrior allows life to express itself through him in whatever forms it might take.  He uses his mind and his body in ways few people have the courage to.  He meditates in every action.  He neither seeks nor runs from pain or adversity; when it comes, he embraces it and uses it to purify his soul.  A warrior keeps death and his life’s purposes in the forefront of his mind.  He’s genuine, authentically present, and open…to life, to God, and to those around him.  A warrior is infinitely happy, he’s at peace with himself, he’s frugal—yet exceptionally generous, he’s a gentle and approachable soul—yet extremely dangerous.  A warrior enjoys the simple pleasures of his own company as well as that of others, he smiles at death and laughs at himself, and he does what he loves.  Above all else, a warrior is a servant, a humble servant…dedicated not just to a great cause, but to all humanity, to God, and, at times, even to himself.  A warrior fights for what he believes in and, when required, lays his life down gladly in the defense of those beliefs.


(4)

You may do unto me that which causes you no harm.


(5)

You are forgiven—even before you act.


(6)

Jesus loves me, this I know.
For the Bible tells me so.
Little ones to Him belong.
They are week, but He is strong.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
Yes, Jesus loves me.
The Bible tells me so.


(7)

In Him, I live and move and have my very being. Because of Him, I am a new creature today.  Behold, all things have become new, and my heart is filled with such gratefulness.


(8)

“And lo I am (and will be) with you always,” says He, “even unto the very ends of the earth.”


(9)
Inspired by the Writings of Richard Marcinko

The more thou sweatest in training, the less thou bleedest in battle.


(10)
Inspired by the Writings of Richard Marcinko

If thou hurtist in thine efforts and thou suffer painful dings, than thou art, most likely, doing it right.


(11)
Inspired by the Writings of Richard Marcinko

Sometimes, one hast not to like it, one just has to do it.


(12)
Inspired by the Writings of Richard Marcinko

If, in your training, you’re not pushing yourself to the point of risking death, you’re probably just going through the motions.


(13)
Inspired by the Writings of Richard Marcinko

Lead from the front, not the rear. Be easy to find…at the center of the battle.


(14)
Inspired by the Writings of Richard Marcinko

Attack the tasks you hate with greater zest than the tasks you love.


(15)

Strive for elegant simplicity, economy of effort and energy, and fluidity of thought, feeling, and action.


(16)

Be out of the box…uncomplicated…unconventional.


(17)

Remember that, more often than not, real talent usually needs only the simplest of tools to accomplish its work.


(18)

Dedicate your body as a living sacrifice unto the Lord God Almighty.


(19)

Hakuna Matada…No worries.


(20)

No mind.


(21)
Inspired by the Writings of Dan Millman

Empty your mind, Dave. Let it all go, and stay here…conscious and present…devoted 100% to the experience you’re having right now.  Because “right now” is all you have. There is nothing else.

Take out the trash, Dave. The trash is anything that's keeping you from the only thing that matters…THIS MOMENT…HERE…NOW.  And when you truly are in the here and now, you’ll be amazed at what you can do and at how well you can do it.

I call myself a warrior, Dave…a gentle and peaceful warrior…because the battles I fight are on the inside…the battle for peace…the battle to be happy…the battle to live and be in the here and now. Be happy, Dave…all the time…without a reason in the world.

(22)

Here I am, Lord, ready to do Your will.
I am and will always be Your servant and friend.
With all my heart, Lord, I want to know You, and I want to be and do all that You ask of me.
May Your will be done in and through me just as it’s already being done in heaven.

(23)

Have mercy on me and forgive me, Lord, all my sins.
Cleanse the thoughts of my heart, and wash me in Your Blood.
Have mercy on me and forgive me, Lord, all my sins.
Cleanse the thoughts of my heart, and wash me in Your Blood.
Have mercy on me and forgive me, Lord, all my sins.
Cleanse the thoughts of my heart, and wash me in Your Blood.

(24)

Lord Jesus Christ, Immanuel, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a redeemed sinner.
Lord Jesus Christ, Immanuel, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a redeemed sinner.
Lord Jesus Christ, Immanuel, Son of the Living God, have mercy on me, a redeemed sinner.
Lord Jesus Christ, Immanuel, Lamb of God, Who takes away the sin of the world, grant me Your peace.
Lord, I am not worthy to receive You; only speak the Word, and I shall be healed.

Not my will, but Thine.  Into Your Hands I commit my spirit.
Not my will, but Thine.  Into Your Hands I commit my spirit.
Not my will, but Thine.  Into Your Hands I commit my spirit.

(25)
Inspired by the Writings of Dan Millman

Where are you, Dave? HERE.
What time is it? NOW.
What are you? THIS MOMENT.