Reflections

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  1. Barb C
    Barb C
    12 hours ago

    “The sacred” isn’t a phrase I connect with personally. I have at times felt a connection to a sense of the universe in all its infinity. It was overwhelming, beyond the limits of what my mind could grasp. The second I tried to recognize what I was sensing I brought it down to human scale, which meant it was no longer everything in every direction forever.

    I often feel part of something larger than myself without that overwhelming scale. That sense of being part of life, knowing I came from and will return to atoms that have been/will be many other things. The poem below is one of several I’ve saved in a document for my daughters.

    It Is Enough
    Anne Alexander Bingham

    To know that the atoms
    of my body
    will remain

    to think of them rising
    through the roots of a great oak
    to live in
    leaves, branches, twigs

    perhaps to feed the
    crimson peony
    the blue iris
    the broccoli

    or rest on water
    freeze and thaw
    with the seasons

    some atoms might become a
    bit of fluff on the wing
    of a chickadee
    to feel the breeze
    know the support of air

    and some might drift
    up and up into space
    star dust returning from

    whence it came
    it is enough to know that
    as long as there is a universe
    I am a part of it.

    1. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      7 hours ago

      Yes,
      dear Barb . . .
      that is a part
      of what I was trying to say. ♥

    2. Antoinette88615
      Antoinette
      11 hours ago

      Wow Barb that’s lovely! Thank you for sharing 💓

  2. sparrow51014
    sparrow
    12 hours ago

    All is sacred . . .
    it’s just that sometimes
    we have to look a little more deeply to find it.
    What a terrible thing to say
    when we see so much evil afoot in the world,
    when we are shocked each day by news that is more horrific
    than yesterday’s,
    but I stick my neck out a little bit
    and say
    that somewhere in the evil that seems to be consuming the world,
    the sacred is to be found . . .
    somewhere.
    I’m much better at prying it out than I used to be,
    but I am challenged to my limit these days.

    The death and the destruction,
    the cruelty of many in power,
    the sheer lack of empathy or compassion
    do not connect me with a sense of the sacred.
    So I don’t seek it there . . .
    it’s too hard.
    Hurricanes, tornadoes,
    fires, floods,
    pestilence and diseases,
    tsunamis and blizzards
    all destroy land and lives . . .
    they are cruel and relentless.
    They have no empathy or compassion
    but I am still able to acknowledge them as sacred.
    I respect them,but don’t go to them either
    for a sense of connection.

    I go to humbler,
    more compassionate places . . .
    sources that are more easily accessible
    for my primitive human brain to accept and understand.

    It’s the ‘seed’ that Joseph spoke of,
    the ‘electric pulse’ that Charlie talks about,
    the spark of life,
    which is a mystery to us all . . .
    good places to start.
    The vastness of the universe
    and the endless sky of stars
    all remind me to be attentive
    and in awe
    of the real powers that be.
    The complex workings
    that keep the tiniest being alive
    and the inherent knowledge the birds have
    to bring their young into the world . . .
    it’s all utterly amazing.
    I simply can’t take these things for granted.
    I know better,
    and at some level
    we all do. ♥

    1. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      11 hours ago

      “I simply can’t take theses things for granted.
      I know better,
      and at some level we all do.”

      The conditioned mind may still be in denial. Be nice if all would care to know better. Thank you dear Sparrow.

  3. Christina Rossi75270
    Christina
    15 hours ago

    Richard Rohr said today that of all he’s taught and learned living in the now is the most helpful.

  4. Mary
    Mary
    20 hours ago

    I will be interested to read what all of you have to share about this.
    I have not felt particularly connected to the sense of the sacred for a while,
    especially not today. Often I feel more joy than I am feeling now.
    I am in need of some inspiration.
    I can lift myself up. I’m just not feeling it today.
    I’ll do some art today. That usually helps.

    I’ll give myself a pass on not being more positive.
    This is me today.
    ———————————————————————

    Adding on to my post after reading some of your shares.
    Joane’s post reminded me that each day
    (and each moment) can be a new beginning.
    I’m feeling this!
    A feeling of being lifted up, perhaps grace.
    I am beginning today again.
    I’m feeling joy.
    I didn’t do this myself.
    I read Joane’s post and it was as if a switch was flipped.
    As Antoinette often says, Thank you, Universe.
    I’m not sure who I’m thanking, but I will say God.
    Thank you God, for restoring my joy.

    1. Antoinette88615
      Antoinette
      16 hours ago

      Dear Mary ,
      Hello from the main center in Korea – with Covid . 😷
      It is great you see you don’t have to pretend to be anything other than where you are . Many people pretend their whole lives and hide their feelings and thoughts under the rug. As wel know a dead fish under the rug isn’t going to smell good ever ! So this is just seeing what is coming up in the mind and letting it come up . Letting go is also not easy especially without a method because our minds are full of thoughts and feelings which drag us all over the place .
      Hence the saying-
      Let go or be dragged.
      So good for you to start again in this very moment the only moment there is available. That also says happiness is available to you right here and now help yourself to it. ( I love that) it’s when we are not lost in our emotions and and thoughts we can come into the present moment and see what is happening. We can become happy and grateful naturally due to natures flow which is the universe or God.
      The universe is always alive and never changing its our origin. That’s our home . Hugs Mary . But at least I can’t give you Covid 😷! 😂

      1. Mary
        Mary
        9 hours ago

        Thank you Antoinette for your positive outlook on me sharing
        that I felt down and not particularly spiritual this morning.
        I value authenticity in others, so I try to be authentic myself.
        I am grateful to you for sharing that you also value this.
        Love and hugs to you, dear Antoinette. 💕

      2. Barb C
        Barb C
        12 hours ago

        “Let go or be dragged”–that’s a keeper, Antoinette!

    2. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      16 hours ago

      Sometimes,
      dear Mary,
      that’s all it takes . . .
      one ‘little’ thing.
      I am happy that you feel restored. ♥

      1. Mary
        Mary
        9 hours ago

        It felt like a miracle, Sparrow.
        I was feeling very low.
        And I wasn’t even trying to feel better.
        I read the image Joane painted of what it is like to get up at 4AM,
        and my low feeling turned into hope and joy.
        I can’t explain what happened.
        It was pure gift.

  5. Charlie T
    Charlie T
    22 hours ago

    Nature. The night sky.
    Contemplating the electrical pulse that’s in all living things and how it’s been passed through from one being to the next, through the eons and resides in me. And you.
    Happy Sunday! I hope it is a day of rest and relaxation for all of you here in this wonderful community.

  6. pkr29022
    pkr
    22 hours ago

    Praying, reading scripture, meditating, practicing yoga, walking outdoors, trees, flowers, birds, bees, farm land, fields & pastures, cows, horses, the stars, moon, sun, the Pacific ocean, Lake Michigan, Redwood Trees, music, cello & violin, children’s faces & their laughter, poetry…………….
    For me the Divine is everywhere. ✨
    🕊️♥️

  7. Brian
    Brian
    23 hours ago

    I think, being human.

  8. Carol Ann Conner
    Carol Ann Conner
    23 hours ago

    Vulnerability…when I am willing to be vulnerable, I have a greater sense of the sacred. I share one of my poems:

    Willing to Be Vulnerable by Carol Ann Conner

    WE rant and we rave
    and we judge and we joke.
    We laugh and we cry
    We jab and we poke
    at life

    To feel is scary,
    because we have been told
    it is weakness.
    It is scary
    because it requires vulnerability.

    Being vulnerable is challenging.
    It demands
    feeling our wounds
    and loving our fears
    to death.

    So I come to the foot of the cross
    on which vulnerability hangs.
    I hear the words
    “Father, forgive them
    they know not what they do.”

    I know my job is willingness.
    I know the willingness
    to be vulnerable
    changes one’s passion
    into compassion.

    Let those who have eyes to see
    and ears to hear
    be the compassionate vulnerability
    that brings healing
    to a troubled world.

    1. Joseph
      Joseph McCann
      11 hours ago

      Thank you for this brush with the sacred Carol Ann.

    2. C
      SkyDancer
      13 hours ago

      Thank you.

    3. Patti
      sunnypatti
      19 hours ago

      Thank you for sharing your poem… it’s beautiful!

    4. sparrow51014
      sparrow
      21 hours ago

      What a beautiful poem,
      dear Carol Ann . . .
      I believe you have touched
      what is sacred. ♥

      1. Carol Ann Conner
        Carol Ann Conner
        20 hours ago

        Sparrow, Thank you.

    5. Charlie T
      Charlie T
      22 hours ago

      Thank you, Carol. As usual, your words are a balm. 🙏

      1. Carol Ann Conner
        Carol Ann Conner
        20 hours ago

        My dear Charlie T, you are a kindred spirit and your words have been a balm to me many times. Thank you for being here. This site is such a blessing in our lives. It is indeed a sacred space.

  9. Christina Rossi75270
    Christina
    24 hours ago

    I think the ocean.

    1. Mary
      Mary
      20 hours ago

      Yes, Christina, the ocean is magnificent.

      1. Christina Rossi75270
        Christina
        18 hours ago

        Thank you Mary.

        1. Mary
          Mary
          8 hours ago

          You are most welcome, Christina.
          I live about 15 miles from the Atlantic Ocean.
          There is nothing like it.

  10. L
    Loc Tran
    1 day ago

    Letting go of backstage politics, agendas, and string-pulling helps me humble down and see the value in how my root people care for me over my relationship with Ngoc even if I don’t agree with the methods. I’ve struggled with a couple women before. Long story short. One was a 2-faced cheerful charmer. The other one when great lengths just to have me. Both had a sweet voice but the first one even more so. Between the lesser of the 2 evils, I choose the 2nd one, because it’s more visable. The 2 happened to be besties too.
    Paw Mu was good. It’s just incompatible methods. We were same Asian roots with different trunks and branches. It’s not meant to go the distance. Letting go of agendas backstage politics, and string-pulling also helps me appreciate her style of care too. She was the first one and used that Asian style with me more. In other words, the seeds have been planted long long ago.
    Ngoc’s in California this weekend for a Pearl of Heart show. She’ll return home tomorrow. All and all, by letting go of string pulling, backstage politics, and agendas, I’m able to see the value of my root people, life lessons and tough love from Paw Mu long ago, and quality time with Ngoc on a deeper level.

  11. Carla
    Carla
    1 day ago

    My senses connect me to Sacred and the Divine. I see the birds on the clothesline awaiting suit and the milkweed pods drying out awaiting cracking open with seeds for next year. I hear nearby children playing in their yards, and I smell food grilling and freshly mowed grass. I see texts and emails that came over night from others concern for me and the community here in Mpls and MN. My heart warms and stirs from all this stimuli. I breathe deep and know I have been given a new day of life. Gentle weekend Blessings All! 🌻☮️🦋

    1. Mary
      Mary
      19 hours ago

      “…I have been given a new day of life”
      I am feeling this, Carla!
      ☀️☀️☀️

  12. D
    Drea
    1 day ago

    Poetry, beauty, being in the high alpine, swimming in a lake or the ocean, ritual, and sometimes just remembering that the sacred is always within.

    1. Charlie T
      Charlie T
      22 hours ago

      Yes! I recently swam in a high mountain lake, and just the thought of it feels like an embrace.

  13. Ose
    Ose
    1 day ago

    Meditation and stillness, music as well, both singing and playing and being with dear friends in one spirit, just to name a few. Also being in nature, being still and perceiving a new day when opening the window blinds, reading the questions and your replies here, when being in inner touch with the heart of all.

  14. Yram
    Yram
    1 day ago

    An author called ut an emergency beauty time. Being awe struck, stop, and share.

  15. Laura
    Laura
    1 day ago

    Everywhere I look I am surrounded by the miracle of life — animals, birds, insects, humans, trees, plants. Such diversity, even in my little corner of suburbia. It’s truly amazing.

    1. D
      Drea
      1 day ago

      We planted lavender in the front yard and didn’t anticipate the wealth of pollinators that visit. I’ve seen types of bees and moths I’ve never seen before, it’s such a pleasure.

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