[Matthew Miller]

This form of prayer began as a therapist’s hip exercise. I live at the foot of a small hill on the island of Kauai. Before the dawn I get up, and walk west up the hill. Sometimes the moon walks with me. The rhythm of my feet on the ground acts like a shaman’s drum, gently awakening my senses. I connect mentally with old friends as I pass — trees, patches of grass between the driveways, a pair of dogs that doesn’t bother to bark at me any more, local night cats. At the top of the hill I turn around. Facing east, I see the rising sun. To my awakened senses it is the eye of God, warm, gentle, incredibly powerful. Come to nourish us all! I connect mentally with the sun (not looking straight at it!), and there is a jolt of “juice” to my soul from its power. I walk back down the hill and put the juice to work on my projects. This is a prayer I speak with my whole body and soul — wordless, almost as if I was still dreaming and yet awake. And my hip always feels better afterwards!

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