I came across the Taoist prayer below at just the right time a couple weeks back, on a morning that felt particularly challenging.

As a global community, many of us struggle to maintain our sense of sanity in the midst of the chaos, suffering, and unrest that we see on the news and in real life.

Yes, it's important that we acknowledge the truth of what is happening in the world around us, but we also need to give ourselves the space (and permission) to simply be alive.

We can turn to the wisdom-keepers of our collective past to help jog our memory on how to do this.

I printed this out and taped it to our bathroom mirror, so I would see it every morning. I hope this prayer is helpful for you too!

All we need is the morning.
As long as there is sunrise,
then there is the possibility
that we can face all of our misfortunes,
celebrate all our blessings,
and live all our endeavors as human beings.
Spirituality is something that has become
necessary in these troubled times.
Yet it is inherently superfluous.
We need it to remind ourselves,
to bolster ourselves,
to integrate ourselves,
to fulfill ourselves.
If we could simply acknowledge
the mystery of night
and the glory of morning,
we would need neither civilization nor spirituality.
At its simplest, life begins with dawn.
That is blessing enough.
All else becomes fullness immeasurable.
At dawn, kneel down and give thanks
for this wonderful event.
We may think mornings are so common
they are unworthy of veneration,
but do you realize most places in the cosmos
do not have mornings?
This daily event is our supreme goodness.
Greet the dawn.
That is your miracle to witness.
That is the ultimate beauty.
That is sacredness.
That is your gift from heaven.
That is your omen of prophesy.
That is knowledge that life is not futile.
That is enlightenment.
That is your meaning in life.
That is your directive.
That is your comfort.
That is the solemnity of duty.
That is inspiration for compassion.
That is the light of the ultimate.

- Deng Ming-Dao

I was really struck by the line:

We may think mornings are so common they are unworthy of veneration, but do you realize most places in the cosmos do not have mornings?

When was the last time you rose early to watch the sun come up?

Greeting the day with a quiet mind and clear intention is a powerful way to start your morning and receive a new perspective on any challenge you face.

Stay curious,

Nick Polizzi
Host of Remedy: Ancient Medicine for Modern Illness
& Founder of The Sacred Science

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