I Awaken Before Dawn
by Helen Moore
[Listen to Audio!]
 I awaken before dawn, go into the kitchen and fix a cup of tea.
I light the candle and sit in its glow on the meditation cushion.
Taking my cup in both hands, I lift it to my Lord and give thanks.
The feel of the cup against my palms brings the potter to mind
and I offer a blessing for his hands.
I give thanks for the clay, the glaze and the kiln.
I take a sip and follow the warmth into my body.
I offer a blessing for those who brought electricity to my home,
who dug the ditches for the lines,
who built my home and put in the wires,
who made my tea kettle and brought me water to fill it.
I take a sip and bless the people in India or China who grew the tea,
cultivated it, picked and dried the leaves, took it to market,
handled it through the many transactions to bring it to my home.
I take a sip and bless those people in Florida, California or Central America
who grew the tree that blossomed into flowers.
I give thanks for the warmth of the sun and the rain which turned the blossoms into lemons,
and I bless the hands that picked the fruit, sorted it, touched it as it traveled from the orchard to my table.
I take another sip and bless the hands of those who provided the sugar
which sweetened the tea, harvested the cane, processed it,
bagged it and sent it on its way to me.
I take another sip and lift my cup in gratitude as I feel the interconnection of my body now with theirs,
my blood now with theirs,
my bones now with theirs,
and my heart fills with love for all of creation.
I give thanks.
About the Author: Helen Moore teaches yoga with mind, body, and spirit, with an attitude of gratitude. She lives a simple life in Lexington, Virginia with her two small dogs, who awe her with their capacity for love and compassion every day.
Latest Community Insights  |
I Awaken Before Dawn
What do you feel grateful for? Can you share a story of a time you realized how much your life was supported by the work of others? What practice helps you grow in gratitude? |
| Liz Helgesen wrote: Reading this piece (but sipping coffee :)) brought me right to the minutia of my life with gratitude for every tiny detail, every breath, each beat of my heart. For every heart beat of my… |
| Jagdish P Dave wrote: This is a wonderful ode to gratitude. It shows how we are connected with each other. Many unseen hands have been instrumental in creating the cup and creating tea. A cup of tea is a symbol… |
| Share/Read Your Reflections |
|
Awakin Circles:
Many years ago, a couple friends got together to sit in silence for an hour, and share personal aha-moments. That birthed this newsletter, and rippled out as Awakin Circles in 80+ living rooms around the globe. To join in Santa Clara this week, RSVP online.
Some Good News
Video of the Week
Kindness Stories
Global call with Maki Saionji Kawamura!
 Join us for a conference call this Saturday, with a global group of ServiceSpace friends and our insightful guest speaker. Join the Forest Call >>
About
Back in 1997, one person started sending this simple “meditation reminder” to a few friends. Soon after, “Wednesdays” started, ServiceSpace blossomed, and the humble experiments of service took a life of its own. If you’d like to start an Awakin gathering in your area, we’d be happy to help you get started.
|
Sangha of Auspicious Companions 