The Welcoming Prayer
by Father Thomas Keating
Welcome, welcome, welcome.
I welcome everything that comes to me today because I know it’s for my healing.
I welcome all thoughts, feelings, emotions, persons, situations, and conditions.
I let go of my desire for power and control.
I let go of my desire for affection, esteem, approval and pleasure.
I let go of my desire for survival and security.
I let go of my desire to change any situation, condition, person or myself.
I open to the love and presence of God and God’s action within. Amen.
Have you felt welcomed lately? For when we feel welcomed, we show up more.
It is a new season as we transition from summer into fall. For many of us this includes additional activities added to our schedules, a change in our closets from swimming suits and shorts into jackets and pants, earlier morning alarms, and days filled with less sunshine.
In the yoga tradition we welcome all seasons and the importance of transition. We welcome these changes and invite practices that heal. We transition from the fire element in summer into wind and air during the fall. The air element qualities are dry, mobile, light, cool, rough and subtle. We may feel restless because of the changes occurring daily (sometimes hourly.)
Fall is a great time to start writing, meditating and spending time nurturing the self. We can spend time on the beauty that surrounds us.
Welcome yourself and incorporate a healing practice that will help you rebalance your mind and body and help you learn more about yourself. Welcome. Welcome. Welcome.
