Inner Alchemy of a Willing Vessel

by William Britten | Poems-Benedictions-Intentions, Attention

The inner Alchemy of consenting to be a vessel. Not for certainty, not for ease, but for the quiet work of transformation.

A Benediction for the Willing Vessel

May you stand where the old unravels  
and the new is not yet formed,  
not turning away,  consenting to be vessel.

May you be steady  
when certainty yields. 
May you abide  
in the space between.

When impressions overwhelm,  
may your attention remain whole.  
May you welcome what disturbs, 
as sacred material.

May your body be chalice,  
your breath the opening  
for what longs to descend  
into a finite world.

May you stand in holy exchange,
giving and receiving,
threshold and witness both.

Amen.

— William Britten