Going for refuge 

I and all sentient beings, until we achieve enlightenment,

Go for refuge to Buddha, Dharma and Sangha.

The following meditation is from The New Meditation Handbook, by Geshe Kelsang Gyatso

4. REFUGE PRACTICE

Purpose: To enable us to attain permanent liberation from lower rebirth

Through receiving Buddha’s blessings and help from the Sangha, I shall accomplish profound Dharma realizations. Through this, I shall attain permanent liberation from lower rebirth.

Make the strong determination: “I must rely upon Buddha, Dharma, and Sangha as my ultimate refuge.”

Reflection:

It is hard for me to have such a strong determination. Deep inside of me I do not admit that there is a higher one power that can save me from all my mistakes. There is something higher that I seek a relationship with, we all have our person, Jesus, Buddha or the knowledge of the seed of life. So I begin to re-rationalize what this may actually mean to me. I do seek refuge in Buddha, that is what meditation is. Deep inside meditation I speak with my true self, my true self-speaks through me. The more I meditate, the more likely I am able to reach my true self for longer and longer periods of time throughout my daily life. I become more intentional. Buddha is just a man assisting me to seek refuge in my love for universal knowledge.

I am a devout human to the earth.

This phrase of relying on Buddha (the one), Dharma (acts of divinity) and Sangha (assistants of Buddha); is hard for me to swallow. I rely on me, my divine soul. To be tethered to one thought that this one celestial being will save me from living in a lower house, I am lost.

But I remember, I am a devout human to the earth and universe.

I will seek refuge in beliefs in something higher than me. My soul, your soul, our soul, that is what Buddha is right?

If I am a devout human to this earth, Buddha, Dharma and his buddies Sangha will assist me in attaining dharma realizations.

One like this: I am a devout human to the earth, universe, and universes unknown.