May 18 2012

Navaho Prayer – May it be beautiful

Published by Ivan M. Granger at 8:09 am under Poetry

Navaho Prayer – May it be beautiful
by Navaho (Anonymous)

Dark young pine, at the center of the earth originating,
I have made your sacrifice.
Whiteshell, turquoise, abalone beautiful,
Jet beautiful, fool’s gold beautiful, blue pollen beautiful,
Reed pollen, pollen beautiful, your sacrifice I have made.
This day your child I have become, I say.

Watch over me.
Hold your hand before me in protection.
Stand guard for me, speak in defense of me.
As I speak for you, speak for me.
      May it be beautiful before me.
      May it be beautiful behind me.
      May it be beautiful below me.
      May it be beautiful above me.
      May it be beautiful all around me.

      I am restored in beauty.
      I am restored in beauty.
      I am restored in beauty.
      I am restored in beauty.

— from The Essential Mystics: Selections from the World’s Great Wisdom Traditions, Edited by Andrew Harvey


/ Photo by Rick Camacho /

I’ve come across several variations of the prayer-poem; they all manage to bring me back into my feet and into quiet awe of the moment.

This version, with its introductory offering to the pine tree is especially moving to me. This is not just any tree, but the pillar of life that stands “at the center of the earth,” the world navel, the center of being, the mediator between heaven and earth.

I love the evocation: “This day your child I have become, I say.” Right relationship is restored. More than restored, it is recognized. The soul harmonizes, uncontracts, when it remembers it is the child of the something profound, alive, divine… and beautiful.

May you be restored in beauty.






Navaho (Anonymous)

US (19th Century) Timeline
Primal/Tribal/Shamanic : American Indian

Attributing this to the 18th century is a guess. The source book did not estimate the date of composition.

More poetry by Navaho (Anonymous)

9 responses so far

9 Responses to “Navaho Prayer – May it be beautiful”

  1. # Bob Corbinon 18 May 2012 at 9:15 am

    A new (to me) variation on one of my favorite prayers.
    Thank you. I am glad you are feeling better!

  2. # Barbara Smith Stoffon 18 May 2012 at 9:51 am

    Thank you for this Ivan! This Navajo walk in beauty prayer is one I have kept in a frame on the wall by my front door for years and years and years….loved seeing it here this morning!

  3. # franon 18 May 2012 at 11:59 am

    Lovely photo, delicate beautiful tree:) Bare trees make me see the venous/capillary or brachi connection between earth and sky. I like the Watch Over me prayer.
    Request. I need that today. everyday.
    Peace

  4. # Liliane Chaseon 18 May 2012 at 12:18 pm

    Thank you. Wonderful words at just the right moment.

  5. # Smitaon 18 May 2012 at 6:06 pm

    Absolutely blissful! Thank you. Also for the thought for the day. Beautiful.

  6. # nasihaon 19 May 2012 at 12:44 am

    thank you, its beautiful..to re-read.

  7. # Maria V.on 19 May 2012 at 3:39 pm

    Thank you Ivan,
    here goes A Note of Appreciation from Mother Earth:
    Flowers are made for beautiful people
    In celebration of my evolution!

  8. # rena navonon 20 May 2012 at 3:17 am

    “The soul harmonizes, uncontracts, when it remembers it is the child of the something profound, alive, divine… and beautiful.” This is a quote I will remember. How special to find a physical word like “uncontracts” designating the soul. I will think of this quote when I move my body accordingly. Wonderful!

  9. # mohinighoshon 08 Jun 2012 at 12:07 am

    This is one of the most beatiful expressions of ‘oneness’….thankyou :)

Trackback URI | Comments RSS

Leave a Reply