Resonance

From the journal… In the Public Gardens on a bench by the dahlias. Lunch is wrapped in a cloth napkin in my bag, tucked in among crosswords, a novel, and assorted writing implements. This journal was in there, but is now flopped open on my thigh. Somewhere I am remembering that the column width of…

10K Surrenders (a Poem)

We do not attain anything by our own holiness but by ten thousand surrenders to mercy. A lifetime of received forgiveness allows us to become mercy. -Richard Rohr- Ten thousand surrenders to mercy One.  When I experiencethe nine thousandnine hundred ninetyninewaysyou find to show me that You are as I made you-wondrous and full of grace…and yes, also challenge…and…

Blurs and sighs and I do

I’ve been on a bit of a run this last while, writing about my experience at the midweek contemplative service at Saint Andrew’s. This entry is no different…written because the fullness I feel is more than I can hold inside. Last night I arrived wearing sunglasses. After finding the way to my chosen seat, there…

Down and Within

After the Wednesday evening contemplative service at Saint Andrew’s this week… Instead of going up to the balcony, today I went down.  I started on the chair but it didn’t feel right.  Too…what? Perch-y.  To ‘on’ and not ‘within’ the space of the sanctuary.  It was like I needed to touch down.  To ground myself…

From Above and From the Journal

From the journal… Went up to the balcony as I had wanted to… The time of day was perfect, and the day itself—still full of light even at the sighing time when sun prepares to exchange the vigil with moon. First thing I noticed was the temperature shift when walking through the doors—so sudden. Where…

Home, Perspective, and Relationship with Space

I was telling someone the other day of the time when I gave in to a long held desire and stretched out in the centre aisle of Saint Francis Xavier church in NYC in order to look up at the ceiling. I waited for a judicious moment–if memory serves, it was a Saturday morning when…

Wednesday Peace

Ms. Tippett: In 2006, I sat across from [Elie Wiesel] in a hotel room that my producers had turned into a makeshift studio and I asked him to tell me what happened after he lost his faith forever, as he wrote, at Auschwitz. He answered: “What happened afterwards is in the book. I went on praying.” Ms….

Orion, Cassiopeia, Polaris

I went to the midweek contemplative service at Saint Andrew’s United Church of Canada last night. One of the many reasons I love going to this is the quiet opening I can feel inside of me…the combination of a grounding and a freeing that has me pick up a pen and paper with a certain…

Light finds Like

Compel me to know your ways, O Love; instruct me upon your paths. Lead me in your truth, and teach me, for through you I will know wholeness; I shall reflect your Light both day and night. -Psalm 25 I paused here this morning while praying., considering the reflection of Light…Light offered and Light received…

Sighs Too Deep: A Poem

Of late I have been going to a contemplative prayer on Wednesday evenings and finding it to be profoundly nourishing. Sometimes I come home and write out of the fullness I feel because it’s more than I can hold inside…I find that poetry is a good container for what spills over. Too Deep Too deep,…