Estimated reading time: 3 minutes
Discover how the gentle art of blessing can transform conflict, soften judgment, and reshape the world from the inside out
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I recently chanced upon a website titled The Gentle Art of Blessing based on Pierre Pradervand’s book and concept of blessing everyone and every situation. The idea appears simple but is radical and effective. Each time a person pops into our mind, each time we pass by someone on the street, we bless them. We bless the day for its goodness when we wake up. We bless politicians and neighbors. We even bless people with whom we have tension, colleagues or family members who have betrayed us. Nobody is exempted from our blessings.
The notion of blessing others changes us from within. As a result, the world is transformed. Can you imagine the harmony and peace in this world when we bless everyone! Pradervand came across the idea when reading Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount where Jesus states: Bless those who curse you.
In every religious and spiritual tradition, in all cultures, people are invited to bless each other. With this practice in place, blessings become not just a salutation or greeting, not just words we extend to people when they do good things to us, but even when they do evil toward us.
Our neighbor transforms from an annoying neighbor to a soul with a divine spark, the angry family member becomes a source of our prayer and every human, every creature, every negative interaction is blessed.
We hold everyone and everything sacred in our mind: people, nature, conflicts, flora, fauna. There is no more judgment, no more gossiping about others, no more complaining about politicians and leaders. Nobody is an enemy. Everyone is seen in the light of love. We hold goodwill toward others.
We are reminded that at the beginning of our journey, blessing may feel like an “act of will” but eventually it will radiate from our heart. And it is when it radiates from our heart that we are transformed and the world is transformed. It does not matter from which frequency we begin, we go forth until the intention embodies us and we hold creation sacred.
Everyone will feel safe and loved and accepted in our presence. Strangers on a bus or train or in the streets will be enveloped in peace by us. The world becomes holy ground for love and unity and oneness.
The Gentle Art of Blessing is a divine gift to ourselves and others from which a new earth is catapulted. And this new earth arises from within us, from the part of us that is ever connected to the Divine. We no longer dream about a peaceful earth, we inhabit it. When the gentle art of blessing is taught to our young, when it is adopted by our elders, we will be truly blessed.
The words of Pierre Pradervand, an activist and the author of The Gentle Art of Blessing and other books, are a blessing to us all. And blessings are meant to be shared.
Viva l’amore!
You may also enjoy reading An Invitation to Peace, by Nejoud Al-Yagout.
