Gathas

Gathas are short verses to recite to help us be mindful during daily activities. By making us more aware of each action, they are an exercise in mindfulness and poetry. They are similar to affirmations. Here are a few for your day...

Waking Up

Waking up this morning, I smile.

Twenty-four brand new hours are before me.

I vow to live each one in mindfulness

and to look at all being with eyes of compassion.

Washing Your Hands

Water flows over these hands;

may I use them skillfully

to preserve our precious planet.

Brushing Your Teeth

Brushing my teeth and rinsing my mouth,

I vow to speak purely and lovingly.

When my mouth is fragrant with right speech,

A flower blooms in the garden of my heart.

Before Picking Up the Telephone

Words can travel across thousands of miles.

May my words create mutual understanding and love.

May they be as beautiful as gems,

as lovely as flowers.

Car

Before starting the car,

I know where I am going.

The car and I are one.

If the car goes fast, I go fast.

Food

This food is the gift of the whole universe—the earth, the sky and much hard work.

May we live in a way that makes us worthy to receive it.

May we transform our own unskilled states of mind and learn to eat with moderation.

May we take only foods that nourish us and prevent illness.

We accept this food so that we may realize the path of understanding and love.

Mindfully, Rev. Donna