Putting Your Intentions Out Into the World...

Yesterday I spent the day with my nephew Geoff.
He is a charming and smart young man. He is in college now and on an endless quest for knowledge. We were talking about Buddhism and the "Eight Right Steps of Living". This subject led to a lively conversation about living an intentional and conscious life. We also talked about "Intention". Which led to "Tibetan Prayer Flags". In Tibet they have a tradition and practice of hanging out strings of prayer flags which are prayers and sometimes icons of Deities printed onto various types of fabric. They are usually, but not always very bright primary colors. The idea simplified is this, put your intentions into the world, the wind will pick them up and blow them where they need to go. In December I did a posting on "Intention Tree" ornaments which is based on the idea of prayer flags.


On the 2 hour drive home I thought about these flags and the magical/mystic quality of putting intentions into the world via a flag and the wind. I also thought it would be fun to make my own small flags, writing intentions or even drawing a picture or icon of what I wanted to put into the world outside of my own. So here is the process, cut 5 to 12 pieces of fabric all the same size. You could use muslin, silk, cotton or really any fabric that will stand up to the Sun, Rain and Wind. An indelible pen like "Sharpies" would be the optimum tool for writing on the fabric. If you want to have more of a painterly quality you could also go to a craft store and pick up paint that is made to be used on fabric. The next step is to make a list of intentions or prayers you would like to see in the world. Do a sketch on paper of what you would like to see so you have a pattern to follow. Once you have a pile of flags ready to go, attach the finished squares to a very long piece of heavy duty string or rope and tie between two trees, on a porch railing or?? You can use your imagination. I think it would be fun to have some of my favorite friends over and each of us could do a square. Kind of like a quilting party, but oh so different!
So whether you purchase some Tibetan Prayer Flags or make your own remember, as Bob Dylan so eloquently said "The answer is blowin' in the wind".