greenbelt blessing

'it is a very cool thing, a blessing.

it has a democracy and equality in it,

a sense of intention and well-wishing that is concerned more with the destiny of someone rather than their destination.'

-john o'donahue

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this blessing was written during the greenbelt festival at the proost lounge on saturday august 23 at 8pm.

the blessing was read over the crowd at the end of the proost session and this is what i said preceding the blessing:

'i come from houston, texas and a community called wellspring who i write blessings for each sunday.

they are a reflection of our discussions and dialogue and are read at the close of our services.

this past year we lost a great man that i never got to meet.

john o'donahue. 

he is a man that truly understood what a blessing is and so i'd like to read this blessing in memory of him.

now, if you'd give me permission, i'd like to ask all of you to close your eyes and allow me to bless all of you as we close.'

*the theme for greenbelt this year was 'rising sun' and the colors were orange, yellow, and red.

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blessings on you who have entered this space-

who have traveled far and near to be in this space.

let your soul sigh in this space.

let yourself be undone in this space.

let yourself feel the love that surrounds, and permeates, and brings this space together.

breathe it in and let it wash over you.

for some, this marks the beginning.

the beginning of a new year,

a new song,

a new season.

for others it is a close, an end, a period at the end of a chapter.

hopes have been sparked here.

dreams have begun here.

revolutions and relationships have arisen here.

and as a phoenix, we will descend in all the glorious shades of red, and orange, and yellow.

this time together...

this space together...

this experience together...

we will take deep, deep down into our bellies 

where a fire will burn that will take us through the next year.

until we meet again we will carry within us memories that will never leave us.

embrace what is left in this space,

and in this time soak up all that you can,

and be sent out knowing that you are loved and you are blessed.