My master watches over me. I have no idea who he or she is or any of the “why’s” or “how’s.” I have never been without a guide that knows nothing but love and forgiveness. Yet I forget this daily.

And so I say the Jesus Prayer and the Vow of Kwan Yin and I sit in silence that is infinite in its mysterious power. And I ask forgiveness and I enclose myself in light.

There is nothing that cannot be made whole. There is nothing that will not be broken.

I do not feel left out of the party here.

I belong in a way that is visceral.

The catch is that the moment I leave this watchful presence, all deals are off. I become mortal again. It happens to the best of us. It happens to the popular and the powerful. By law it does.

The silence arises from being tended like a sheep in the meadow of grace. I cannot protract the time I linger there. When it is over, I leave for another round of chaos.

I always return when the time is right. There is no gate to keep me out and no gate to let me in.

I am humbled by this knowledge, which is not mental.

There are no mirrors in this timeless field. No clocks or legal fees to pay or debts to settle.

Who can say anything that is higher than silence?

My master watches over me.

Vicki Woodyard