Blessings & Buddhism
In honour of our new daughter, Anastasia, ~10 days old, we will be hosting a baby blessing ceremony December 12. My West Coast friend, writer and scholar Maggie McVay Lynch, aka Maggie Jaimeson, has already sent me a perfect blessing to use, adapted from an Indian naming ceremony. If you know more about its origins, please let me know.
Dearest Anastasia born of two loving hearts
You are grace
You are beauty
You are love beyond measure
And gift without price
We are gathered this day
To introduce you to your greater family,
And to bless you, before the world
Even as we have been blessed by your birth!
We offer you to the Four Winds
That you might embrace adventure
And know the wonder of far-off lands
We offer you to the Sky
That you may steer by the stars
And never feel that you are far from home
We offer you to the Sun
That warmth and light may surround you always
And guide you safely on your way
We offer you to the Moon
That you may find comfort in darkness
And never have cause to fear the night.
For parents, drivers & othera who can’t use their hands, I offer some Zen Buddhist/spiritual audio/video resources:
1. Karen Maezen Miller wrote Momma Zen, a wonderful book. I can’t wait to read Hand Wash Cold, her latest. She has videos and radio interviews on her website.
Click to listen. They tell stories or run news pieces. I heard a show on child soldiers–kids generally aren’t well-trained, so they were using children to lure the gunfire.
3. I wanted to publish an iMix of spirituality podcasts, but they wouldn’t let me because they weren’t for purchase in the iTunes store. Sigh. So here are some “Speaking of Faith” podcasts I sent to my friend Genevieve for Christmas, all of which I recommend:
The Spirituality of Parenting (April 3, 2007) A female rabbi talks about how parenting can bring you closer to faith.
Planting the Future with Wangari Maathai (April 24, 2008)
Repossessing Virtue: Sharon Salzberg on the Humiliation of Suffering 9:17
Brother Thay: A Radio Pilgrimage with Thich Nhat Hanh (March 2, 2006) 53:18 Krista Tippett, American Public Media APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett Podcast
The Inner Landscape of Beauty (February 28, 2008) 53:06 Krista Tippett APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett Podcast Opening to Our Lives –
Jon Kabat-Zinn’s Science of Mindfulness (April 16, 2009) 52:09 Krista Tippett, American Public Media APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett Society & Culture 1 15/09/09 5:22 PM
Yoga. Meditation in Action with Seane Corn (September 11, 2008) 53:09 Krista Tippett, American Public Media APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett
Society & Culture Presence in the Wild (June 26, 2008) 53:09 American Public Media, Krista Tippett APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett Podcast
Burma – Buddhism and Power (November 1, 2007) 53:00 Krista Tippett, American Public Media APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett Podcast 1 24/11/08 12:05 PM
Play, Spirit, and Character (August 23, 2007) 53:01 Krista Tippett, American Public Media APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett Podcast 2 09/09/08 2:59 PM
The Body’s Grace: Matthew Sanford’s Story (October 5, 2006) 53:18 Krista Tippett, American Public Media APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett Podcast
Listening Generously: The Medicine of Rachel Naomi Remen (September 21, 2006) 53:12 Krista Tippett, American Public Media APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett
Podcast Surviving the Religion of Mao (August 10, 2006) 53:12 Krista Tippett, American Public Media APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett Podcast
A History of Doubt (June 8, 2006) 53:18 Krista Tippett, American Public Media APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett Podcast
Being Autistic, Being Human (September 27, 2007) 53:00 Krista Tippett, American Public Media APM: Speaking of Faith with Krista Tippett Podcast
Namaste!