Prayer brings comfort. At least that's what I have always felt. Whether it be that you are asking for help, saying thank you for joys bestowed, or just meditating on what is or is not right, the purpose of prayer is to bring comfort.
That is, unless you are one of those people that prays whilst whipping yourself. But for most of us, we kind of like the comfort aspect.
I don't pray. At least, not in the conventional sense. I don't go to a place of worship. I don't ascribe to a religion. I don't kiss the feet of statues or drink water that might be wine. My form of prayer, what brings me comfort, is more primeval. Thoreau knew, and prayed much like I do.
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately..."
In these simple yet sublime words are my church, my god, and my passion. From the action, I find comfort. A full year of happiness, sadness, joys, and disappointments are vanquished when I go to the woods. I live deliberately.
Each summer, a small group of friends and I section hike the Appalachian Trail. This year, we hiked through Maryland. We hiked about 43 miles. We gave the mountain our sweat and a tiny bit of blood, and in return, we received fresh cold water and peace. Trail magic came to us in many forms when it seemed we needed it most, from a 4th of July celebration to a cooler full of ice cubes on a sweltering 14 mile day. I prayed hard and drank the wine.
...I may get an ear infection and conjunctivitis from the 'wine', because it was a swim in the Potomac River, but I don't mind. I've reached homeostasis.
That is, unless you are one of those people that prays whilst whipping yourself. But for most of us, we kind of like the comfort aspect.
I don't pray. At least, not in the conventional sense. I don't go to a place of worship. I don't ascribe to a religion. I don't kiss the feet of statues or drink water that might be wine. My form of prayer, what brings me comfort, is more primeval. Thoreau knew, and prayed much like I do.
"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately..."
In these simple yet sublime words are my church, my god, and my passion. From the action, I find comfort. A full year of happiness, sadness, joys, and disappointments are vanquished when I go to the woods. I live deliberately.
Each summer, a small group of friends and I section hike the Appalachian Trail. This year, we hiked through Maryland. We hiked about 43 miles. We gave the mountain our sweat and a tiny bit of blood, and in return, we received fresh cold water and peace. Trail magic came to us in many forms when it seemed we needed it most, from a 4th of July celebration to a cooler full of ice cubes on a sweltering 14 mile day. I prayed hard and drank the wine.
...I may get an ear infection and conjunctivitis from the 'wine', because it was a swim in the Potomac River, but I don't mind. I've reached homeostasis.
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