The photo was taken several years ago, when I had the joy of flying over Lincolnshire in a friend's tiny plane...

This blog is to accompany the Check the Box course offered by Janet Conner starting May 2013.
The title comes from the poem 'The Journey' by David Whyte (a favourite poet!), Janet cites in the opening lesson.
Janet speaks my language in so many ways...

Tuesday, June 4, 2013

Post 3 - Shimmerings

'Shimmerings' are A-ha moments, things that resonate, or makes you gasp a little as your soul recognizes something... something that it knows is a gift. I first heard the word from Christine Valters Paintner over at The Abbey of the Arts.

I had several shimmerings yesterday...

It started with really looking at my angel, who stands on a ledge near our bed. She's been there for years, but for some reason, I really noticed her...


... especially the words beside her:


'Shine, let it shine. Become your own way to truth and light'

Later, I read this in the Celtic Daily Prayer, The Witness of Aidan:

One word, one light, one person,
one life He loved enough
for Him to die.
And the love that died,
His love that burns inside me,
impels me on the road
to seek for Christ in the stranger's face
or feel the absence of His touch...
...
One word,
one light,
on person on the way.

And then, I read in Care of the Soul:

The Greeks told the story of the minotaur, the bull-headed flesh-eating man who lived in the centre of the labyrinth. He was a threatening beast, and yet his was Asterion - Star. I often think of this paradox as I sit with someone... searching for some way to deal with a death, a divorce, or a depression. It is a beast, this thing that stirs in the core of her being, but it is also the star of her innermost nature. We have to care for this suffering with extreme reverence so that, in our fear and anger at the beast, we do not overlook the star. (p. 24)

I grew up with the Classics, and Theseus and the Minotaur was one of my favourites, yet I never knew the minotaur had a name!!! I just thought he was a baddie that Theseus had to defeat. But look at his name, Asterion, what a name! Even this brute of a beast had a name that shines!

Oh my!! Shimmerings and synchronicities - lots to ponder and absorb :)

Sunday, June 2, 2013

Post 2 - Listening

I spent Friday listening to Janet's recordings on Unity FM with Neil Douglas-Klotz and Cynthia Bourgeault - there is sooooo much to process and absorb... I sense I will keep returning to these throughout the course...

I have started using the Yahweh breath (breath in on Yah, out on Weh). Having this ancient, all-encompassing word really helps me focus totally on my breathing each time I begin my prayer/meditation time...

I've also added this book to my daily reading...


... I especially love Aidan's daily readings!

This was Friday's reading:

When we start at the centre of ourselves, we discover something worthwhile extending towards the periphery of the circle. We find again some joy in the now, some of the peace in the here, some of the love in me and thee which go to make up the kingdom of heaven on earth.

This really ties in with what Neil was saying about the kingdom, and I especially love his 'I CAN' translation of malkuth! I am sitting with this and absorbing what it means for me and my disabilities, as I know focusing on what I can do is much more positive and healing than dwelling of what I can't.

And I'm going to learn by heart Neil's English translation of the Lord's Prayer from the Aramaic :)

O Breathing Life, your name shines everywhere!
Release a space to plant your presence here.
Envision your 'I Can' now.
Embody your desire in every light and form.
Grow through us this moment's bread and wisdom.
Untie the knots of failure binding us,
as we release the strands we hold of others' faults.
Help us not forget our source,
yet free us from not being in the present.
From you arises every vision, power, and song
from gathering to gathering.
Amen - May our future actions grow from here!

Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Post 1 - Beginnings


Given the time difference, I'm unlikely to attend the class conference calls live (1 am GMT - eek!), so I wanted to keep this blog to share ideas/insights/experiences with others...

Janet mentioned on the call last night about the David Whyte poem in the class notes, and highlighted the line which I had already chosen for this blog's name! Janet certainly is a soul sister who speaks my language :)

I have chosen this book to be my guide throughout the course


and I just wanted to quote a few lines from the very first page, which hopefully explains why I chose it.

The mind works with ideas, the body with muscles, and the soul with images... occasionally a piece of art will be so transparent, so profoundly rooted, and so precisely articulated that the soul shines, and in that meaningful radiance we sense its beauty.
When art reveals the soul, it may have a certain objective quality and my even feel cool because of its deep roots. At other times, captivating art may be so hot with the inspiration of the artist... that individuality is transcended and soul appears. (p. 8)
  
Those who know me already know that I'm a highly visual person, and that art - image-making - is very important to me, so it makes perfect sense for my soul to want pictures to help me uncover its purpose :)

(As an aside, I feel there aren't enough picture books for adults! Books that combine great words with great images are in short supply.)

I confess there are some things I'm unsure of in the course outline, especially the concept that I chose my parents(!)... the significance of my birthdate and my name... but I am determined to keep an open mind and heart :)

I came across this quote yesterday and I suspect it will be a mantra for me as I go through this course
The soul should stand ajar, ready to
welcome the ecstatic experience.
Emily Dickinson

And I know from my studies of the mystics - especially Julian of Norwich, Teresa of Avila and Hildegard of Bingen - that the human soul is made for such experiences!