In this tradition, we do not use petitioning prayer but that doesn’t stop some of us reverting to childhood habits, when in extremity. All the while knowing full well that the universe is not answerable to my personal will. So why the other evening was I saying, as if using a mantra:
Let there be thunder!
Let there be lightning!
Let there be rain!
and wind!
Like many people in Britain, I was extremely uncomfortable with the air pressure that builds up around thunderstorms. My mind had turned to ‘mush’ and it seemed impossible to be still mentally or physically. But I sat anyway, in extremity, with a short blast of the above ‘mantra’ to help myself. Sometimes it just helps to recite a mantra, silently to oneself while knowing full well that the universe is not answerable to my personal will.
I get that.
Next time we are going to have a storm I’ll be checking this website: https://www.lightningmaps.org
Wasn’t honestly sure if I was meditating when sitting in the intense heat this week. Just sat still, best I could, and felt pretty uncomfortable. Good to know I’m not alone in that “mushy mind” feeling. And, thank you for the mantra.