Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born.” Anais Nin
With the new year just beginning, I started reflecting on the experience of the New. I like the words strange and unexpected to describe that experience. How do I go beyond the old to the new, veiled by the expected and anticipated repetition? In my personal experience, it all begins with the heart, not the mind. There is one way among many; this one has worked for me and is called "The Prayer of the Heart" or the "Jesus Prayer." The prayer originated in the Eastern Orthodox Church, with the original wording, "Jesus Christ, Son of God, have Mercy on me." The words " a sinner" were added later. I think you can use this prayer in any form you want--I don't use the word sinner. For example, you might substitute "I have lost the path", or "I have missed the mark".
Repeating the prayer gave me my first glimpse of the New. Years ago, I had been studying Gnosis of the Eastern Orthodox Church. I started repeating the prayer, unceasingly throughout the day and night, as prescribed by the tradition. I discovered a catalyst, and that catalyst was Romance. At that time, I met a woman at work and that began an immediate attraction for both of us. As we got to know each other more, our hearts began to open to each other. Although never consummated physically, we began a spiritual romance. As I repeated the Prayer of the Heart, a fire began to burn. Like eyes, my heart could see and I began to see through the door of my heart. All that I perceived was unexpected and strange; I would walk into a room I had gone through a thousand times, and everything: the furniture, the walls, became pristine and remarkable, unidentified by my memory. I was in a strange land! Perhaps I had entered a space that never grew old and would not become personally identified and acclimated by me. In order for me to function in the world, this perception of the heart began to be replaced by my thinking mind, the woman drifting away to another place in time.
The prayer is said by me sometimes in the morning, but not unceasingly. The door to the heart is known to be the path of least resistance to a transformational experience. I know factually that the prayer of the heart with a romantic catalyst: woman or man, whoever will kindle the fire of your heart, will open the door for a glimpse of the New.
From the Little Shack: Knocking on the door of your Heart!
"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks..." 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18