nov-dec-2014-awareness-e-mag

How Do You Pray?
Inspiring Responses from Religious Leaders, Spiritual Guides,
Healers, Activists and Other Lovers of Humanity
Created and Edited By Celeste Yacoboni
In 2008 Celeste had a vision;
she was guided to ask the
world, “How do you pray?” She
listened. This is her story...
I awoke early one morning
about six years ago to a vision
that would change my life forever.
It was still dark outside
but the room was filled with
light. I heard the words, How
do you pray? How do you
dance in ecstasy, bare your
soul to the Divine, bow in
gratitude, or cry out for guidance,
merge with nature?
I took a pen from my bedside
table and started writing,
as the words continued.
How do you pray? Is it an
hour a week at a designated
place of worship, or do you
take your prayers out to the
streets? Do you pray like your
parents, culture or tribe, or did
you develop another way? Is
prayer, a monologue or a conversation,
or neither? Do you
pray to God or do you have
another special name, or no
name at all?
I knew in my heart that
this question was to be asked
to the world, that in the varied
responses we would come
to know the essence of our
prayers, and that the essence
of our diversity was oneness.
I saw in this vision all the
world’s religions in prayer and
praise to the One. I saw and
heard the prayers of whirling
dervishes, davening Jews,
knelling Christians, meditating
Buddhists, chanting Hindus,
dancing people of all the
traditions all over the world —
they merged in one voice, the
voice of the spirit that unites
us, the spirit of life of love.
Celeste felt the essence of
all people, religions and beliefs,
and also felt the unity in
the oftentimes-extreme diversity
of spiritual paths. She asked
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friends and family how they
prayed and the response was
so great she started to reach
out. From her vision, How Do
You Pray? Inspiring Responses
from Religious Leaders, Spiritual
Guides, Healers, Activists
& Other Lovers of Humanity,
came into being.
I said YES, I would bring this
vision and inquiry to the world.
To be with the question, to sit
in the invitation to go deeper
than the obvious, to reflect
and contemplate what arises
is a mirror to the soul, and by
asking, “How do you pray?” so
much is revealed.
This collection of prayers
brings together 129 original
contributions by some of the
most beloved writers and
teachers of our time, answering
these questions.
I pray when I talk to God,
when I meditate, and in the
numerous rituals I perform in
honor of my union with the
Spirit that unites us. I chant and
praise. I pray alone and when I
am in community and communion.
I pray when I listen to the
voices speaking to me in many
different ways, even the ones
that I have not heard before.I
pray by showing up where I
need to be, like when a friend
is going through a challenging
time, or for a stranger whom I
can assist in the moment. I
ask myself, ‘How can I best be
in service to others, the Earth
and myself?’ We answer each
other’s prayers. We are miracles
that can change each other’s
lives and experiences.
Being available to each other,
listening and saying the right
words at the right time are answers
to prayers. How do we
know the right words? We invoke
Divine guidance, trust and
willingness. We hold the intention,
how can I best be used?
We are the experiential organs
of creation. When we say
“yes” to life, we show up where
we are needed. It sounds like
heaven on earth — we are the
angels here to help and be
helped by each other. All we
have to do is love and be loved
by each other.
When we hear the voice of
God, Spirit, Divine Guidance
in a dream, vision, gut feeling,
persistent idea or inspiration,
it can take courage to
say “yes.” We step out of our
routine and life as we know
it and give ourselves over to
this vision and align with our
calling. Once you commit to
a higher vision, it doesn’t matter
if you are afraid or if you
know how you will be used.
In saying “yes,” you align with
the energy of the universe and
doors to unknown potential
and possibilities open.
At this time of tremendous
transition on the planet we
are all called to a higher purpose.
We are called to use our
energy and resources for the
evolution of consciousness.
Now is the time to join together,
share how we pray and
take our prayers to the streets.
Prayer is sacred activism. We
hear the call and take action.
We are all here to be used and
now is the time.
Celeste Yacoboni is a Minister
of Walking Prayer, ordained by the
Center for Sacred Studies in Sonora,
CA. Her work focuses on guiding and
supporting people through transitions
integrating body, mind, spirit and
emotions. She maintains a practice
in Santa Fe, NM where she facilitates
healing and wholeness through many
modalities. Visit: www.HowDoYou
Pray.com or www.CelestialBodyand
Soul.com
14 / AWARENESS MAGAZINE NOVEMBER / DECEMBER 2014