The one beloved becomes many, and the world itself is [my] lover. (Joanna Macy)
Maybe it’s like this:
A couple of years ago, I bought a beautiful, little area rug from a struggling Tibetan/Nepali shop around the corner from my house. This rug now graces my front hall. Given how lovely it is, I paid very little for this gem. Why? Because, as the woman in the store was good enough to show me, it had two, small worn spots on it. And then she threw herself ON the rug to demonstrate how those worn spots were the result of someone, many someones, maybe, kneeling in prayer!
Taken aback by her over-the-top demonstration, stymied by my complete lack of information—Nepali people pray on rugs? I thought only Muslims do that. I am so ignorant!—I was not able to really take in what she told me. Not really. But the other day, vacuuming that rug, I got it. And was filled with, yup, great love for both that agile saleswoman and all those unseen, only to be imagined knees!
perhaps the following fits into your “loving the world” (and also you nepali) theme:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/06/01/maggie-doyne-blinknow-nepal_n_869906.html
the young lady’s organization & blog: blinknow.org
my personal-favorite most-touching story, in 2 parts:
http://blinknow.org/journal/2008/7/28/karma.html
http://blinknow.org/journal/2008/7/29/the-other-girl.html
–sgl
Something in this story reminds me of how I feel in Ireland–I always want to throw my body down on the grass, on the ground in prayer….
Went to hear the fabulous Steve Chase yesterday.
Love SLM