Daily Meditation

Back in 1560, the Burmese were accused by the Catholic Church of worshiping the first live being they saw when they arose in the morning, whether it stood on two legs or four. This was part of the information the Vatican sent with the priests who were going to that country to proselytize on behalf of the Church. It was a mode of worship they found horrifying at the time, as of course they wanted everyone to worship only the Trinity, as they then defined it.

However, our understanding of what it can mean to be spiritual has expanded considerably since then. Now, worshiping in this way would appear to be a marvelous thing, to worship the first living creature you lay eyes on each morning, as an aspect of the universe that G!d made. It is an excellent way to remind ourselves that we are all part of the creation, and therefore part of the eternal. Ultimately, we want to learn to see everyone as a bit of the cosmic whole, with his and her energy taking part in and contributing to the dance that is life. The exercise of looking into the first living being we encounter can open us to being able to see the divine energy in everyone.

That first being you encounter could be your husband who has been keeping you awake half the night with his snoring, and wakes up growling over the notion that he must go out to work. Or, it could be your cat mewling for food, and who will not permit you to move through your kitchen to prepare your breakfast and pack your lunch until he has been fed. It could also be your boss, of whom you often wonder how he ever got into the position of being in charge, as he does not appear to know how to lead a group of people without making everyone angry. And of course, do not forget yourself, that person many of us find the hardest of all to love. We are all part of the cosmic dance.