Lenten 5-Finger Prayer Service - Ash Wednesday

Wednesday, February 17, begins the season of Lent, a season that originated in the very earliest days of the Church, as a preparatory time for Easter. Lent is a season of soul searching, reflection and taking stock, and is often called a journey. The season of Lent invites us to go on a 40-day spiritual journey, where we are challenged to reflect on our lives, to meditate, receive healing, and strengthen our faith. That means that at the end of the Lenten journey, we should expect to find ourselves in a different place than where we started.  Lent begins on Wednesday, Feb. 17 (Ash Wednesday) and ends on Saturday, April 3, which is the day before Easter. Here’s how the 5-Finger Prayer  works: After a few centering breaths: We begin by holding the THUMBS and praying for those people who are closest to us; Then, we hold the INDEX fingers and pray for those people who point things out to us, our teachers and our mentors; We then hold the MIDDLE fingers, the tallest fingers, as we pray for our leaders; Next, we hold the RING fingers, typically our weakest finger, and we pray for those who need extra attention and prayer - the weakest among us; Now, we hold the  PINKIE fingers as we pray for ourselves; And, finally, we hold the CENTER PALMS, as we pray for every being under the heavens. A LITTLE ABOUT THE FINGERS For anyone who knows us, you know that Mitzi and I have been longtime self-help teachers, as well as practitioners of the healing art of Jin Shin Jyutsu, an art which helps us better know and help ourselves. In helping ourselves, we are better able to help other people. The wise Sages who brought Jin Shin Jyutsu to the world, believed that the attitudes (emotions that get stuck) cause the physical, mental/emotional and spiritual disharmonies in our bodies. By holding the fingers, we can harmonize the attitudes and help ourselves feel better. As a guide: THUMB helps the attitude of WORRY; INDEX helps the attitude of FEAR; MIDDLE helps the attitude of ANGER; RING helps the attitude of GRIEF; PINKIE helps the attitude of PRETENSE; CENTER PALM helps the attitude of DESPONDENCY I hope you’ll keep this guide and use it whenever you need. Peace.