Birds of “Pray”



I often talk about “having it all” which for me is not about more and more stuff or some temporal state of achievement but rather accepting ALL that you HAVE … in the moment. It is about enjoying the moments of bliss that may come on my zafu and embracing the pain or tears when they arrive unbidden. In the yin and yang of life, understanding that ALL OF THIS is ALL THAT IS … it is easier to see the face of Grace all around us.

So when I come face to face with a moment where I am seeing the “small picture” … when I am disallowing my experience and holding on to an image of the way things “should be” I have to bring forward the breath of compassion and remind myself … but THIS is how it IS. It is of course easier to do at good times, than it is when I am trapped in the bio-chemical emotions of a strong belief.

Take for instance this morning, as I was sitting by my window to paradise which is my garden, I noticed that the usual bird song had shifted. Instead of the charming tweets of the house finch and crown sparrow, or the coo of the mourning dove and bark of the scrub jay … there were only soft tittering chirps from deep inside the over grown hedge along the property line. CHEEP . . . Cheep-Cheep-Cheep. CHEEP . . . Cheep-Cheep-Cheep. CHEEP . . . Cheep-Cheep-Cheep. CHEEP . . . It sounded almost like a soft Morse code. So I pulled back the purple curtain that was shielding my eyes from the sun and saw a sharp shinned hawk sitting on the branch from which my bird seed feeder was hanging.

Who invited him to brunch?! I thought as my brow wrinkled and I immediately judged the situation as wrong. After all I put seed out for the little feathered friends, the goldfinches, buntings, hummers and even the gentle band tail pigeons are welcome at my window. However over the years I have learned that my good intentions also supply the neighborhood roof rats, the unwelcomed coyote (when I use to include bread bits in the open tray) and yes even the occasional predator bird. But just like the great blue heron that finds a way to work around my electronic hydro-scarecrow at my water garden to feast upon my little goldfish friends, the birds of pray in the skies are part of same orchestra that make up nature’s symphony outside my door.

Of course “acceptance” may look different depending on which facet of the diamond we peer into. I could have softened my brow, deepened my breath and welcomed the hawk to dine with an open heart. Or in this case, I could accidently billow the curtain in my hand just a bit too wide and the hawk may have subsequently chosen on her own a new venue to dine. 😉

Ahhh, having it all. The thought is indeed fun to play with, especially in the metaphor moments when a bird of prey brings to mind an opportunity for prayer and to acknowledge how deeply grateful I am right now for ALL THAT IS.

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