LIVING INSIDE PRAYER
by Linda Cucurullo • Hempstead

Living inside prayer is being in a constant state of gratitude and service.

When we realize that all we have been given is a gift and that all we give comes back to us tenfold, we are on our way to living inside the protective, supportive power of our awesome Creator. A constant state of gratitude is prayer in its highest form.

Prayer changes your vibration. It changes the environment. It changes all who are touched by it. It can transform anger into love and fear into hope. Prayer brings calm, order and a deep sense of peace even in the midst of chaos. When we pray we are tuned into our higher power where we can realize and demonstrate the forces of good. By taking the step into prayer we travel beyond human barriers. Don’t pray for things, or our will to be done, rather, pray for more love to be expressed through you.

Many of us have come to believe that God can be found only in churches, temples and houses of worship. These are just the structures where the celebration is held. God is everywhere and you are the Holy vessel that is filled by a Divine, all-powerful, all-loving presence. God is in the mountains, in the city, as well as in the person you do not like and even in the government official you can’t stand!

A prayerful life includes developing our spiritual qualities by practicing the spiritual perfections of forgiveness, acceptance, gratitude and love. Resentments, hatefulness, bigotry and violence of any kind, are like poison thorns stuck in our heart destroying us from within. They harden our heart and form a hard shell around us. They separate us from God. Ask to be released from these killers of the spirit. When confronted with such challenges, transcend those biases; remember that even with the many faults that you perceive others to have, they are no different than you. They have the same needs and desires--the same human heart. Once we clear our inner life of character flaws that no longer serve us, our minds are in line with right thinking; then we can do the work in the outer world.

Director of Basic Moves Yoga teacher training program, Linda Cucurullo is also a spiritual mentor and healing partner. She combines the healing arts of yoga therapy, loving touch and spiritual direction, offering group and private sessions. Call 516-483-4453 or email www.journeyinward.com