Sunday Independent (Ireland)

Sacred mandala of your life

-

Sir — Society will judge us by our looks, as Brendan O’Connor described in his recent article about people staring at his little girl, Mary.

As a teacher in special education for many years, I know those looks.

I am in no doubt that my students, who have moderate intellectu­al difficulti­es (according to those who label them to fit in neatly to “normality”) also have very many special gifts — they see the person, not the fatness or designer labels one might be sporting on a given day.

As part of the graduation ceremony which I wrote and led many times in school, we made a mandala of the group, highlighti­ng their gifts to us.

This is a poem I wrote as a reflection about the gifts that the students have, and offer freely and without judgment of others. Aine Moloney, Name and address with Editor Mandala In our world We promote Wealth and power. You offer Simplicity And collaborat­ion. When confronted by Control and revenge You offer Peace and kindness. Where greed, Not need makes war You offer Trust without fear. If our loves dream Is somehow lost You offer An opportunit­y To know her precious gifts In the present moment Of now. On dismal days When grief and doubt Consume Our weary spirits You embrace us Unconditio­nally Welcoming us Towards The bright possibilit­y Of joys dawning On a new tomorrow. With grace these Simple, Priceless gifts You commend to us With great fondness. Take time to Intertwine them With precious jewels Of rememberin­g On quiet golden moments As your own dear heart Kindles in the best Of us Another way of being, Entrusting us With the rhythm Of The Sacred Mandala of your life.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Ireland