say it out loud

I’ll begin this with a prayer because it is about prayer:

“My dear Lord Krishna, You are the Supersoul in everyone’s heart. From you come knowledge, remembrance, and forgetfulness. You are the well-wishing friend of every living entity. Thank You for kindly engaging me in this work. Please guide me so that my writing may be pleasing to You and Your devotees.”

I just made that up.

The way I understand it, you’re supposed to pray this way. First, you offer some praise. Then you ask for some benediction.

* * *

One morning, my wife and I went to the temple. I hadn’t been there in a long time, I had gotten quite used to not going, and I didn’t really want to go. My wife wanted us to go, though, and she usually knows best. So off we went.

During the darshan arati, they play the George Harrison-produced Brahma-samhita recording. Everyone sings along. These are lord Brahma’s prayers upon seeing the spiritual world for the first time.

They’re full of praise. Then he asks for some benedictions: Brahma’s Prayers For Creative Energy.

I stood there and said, “My dear Lord Krishna. I didn’t want to come this morning and You know it. But I’m grateful to be here and glad to be alive. Thank you. If you like, please let me serve you in some way.”

Just as I was finishing my prayer, I noticed Krishna Keshava das, the temple manager, was headed my way. I guessed what was coming.

“Would you like to lead the kirtana?”

“Yes, I would.”

* * *

Here’s our family prayer for whenever we lose something (like cell phone or keys or wallet or money or glasses):

“Krishna, You know where everything is. Everything is Your energy, and You’ve totally got it together. I’m completely bewildered, and I can’t find my keys. You are completely independent, and You can do as You like. Please help us.”

I believe in prayer, because it’s direct communication. Krishna hears everything. He knows what you’re thinking, too, but prayer shows Him that you know that He knows everything and you’re reaching out. Out loud.

It’s a conversation.

He is God, so of course he can read minds and everything, but the way I understand it, He likes to hear it.

Here’s an illustrative, non-authoritative example:

Morgan Freeman (in the role of God in the film Bruce Almighty) says to Jim Carrey (in the role of Bruce) “say it out loud.”

I can understand shyness, not wanting to say something dumb, but we should understand we’re always in God’s company. He likes us, and He likes it when we show Him we’re aware of that.

My conversations with other people always go much better if I talk out loud, rather than keep things inside.

So why shouldn’t I treat Krishna with the same courtesy?