Aligning with Grace

I gather together with prayer companions during the middle of the week, and before we enter deeply into our meditation, I hear the lone cardinal that often visits during these times, trying to fly in through massive glass windows. He too, has been part of this circle of prayer warriors over the years, and he seems bent on trying to catch my attention. I bring troubling concerns to this meditation, and then, out of nowhere, I shift gears stepping into an alternate universe where insights and peace flow freely, as I begin to settle in... Poetic musings begin to flow effortlessly, enfolding me in a current of grace, as a gentle reminder, that indeed, all shall be well, and all manner of things shall be well, as Julian of Norwich has insisted, since the 14th century... "'The whole universe, IS inside of you. Therefore, ask all from yourself.' So wrote the poet Rumi. Everything that you need Is already within you - Waiting there patiently. All the lo...

I believe in the power of angels -  both seen, and unseen... "What is an angel? And what do they do?" I came across a review on a book titled The Physics of Angels , co-written by Matthew Fox, whose seminal theological works were very formative for me when I studied theology in the seventies, and Rupert Sheldrake, a physicist. The review goes on to note that angels are powerful and terrifying. They enter into our lives by telling us not be afraid of them. But they are also protectors and can assist us in all of our endeavors and intuitions. They can guard and defend us in so many ways, and can contribute to our happiness.  I have noted elsewhere in this blog, that I began this year by inviting the energy of angels into my life, and in a recent post I shared with you the picture of an angel, painted by a gifted artist, Karen Tarlton, which I gave myself as a present for my 59th birthday. In many ways, she was emblematic of this past year for me. I chose to gift mys...

"Be who you are, and be that well." ~ Francis de Sales And truly, how can we be anything but who we are? As a child, I was once asked by a nun who was also my teacher, what I wished to be when I grew up. And I simply responded, "A saint." Of course, I had no idea what that meant, but somehow I felt enamored by the lives of the many martyrs I read about. Today, I ask myself, "What was I thinking?" But what I really think I meant, was that I was seeking a life of wholeness. I wanted to be the best person that I could possibly be, and in my childish understanding, I thought those people were saints - people who truly became the best human beings possible. Implicit in my understanding was a sort of perfection, that of course, I know now - does not exist. "Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect." ~ Matthew 5:48 Even so, we strive for something that at times seems elusive. Can it really be attained?  James Martin, SJ, in h...

I posted a variation of the following on my website this morning, and thought I would share it here as well... One of my favorite quotes by St. Francis de Sales is: “Be who you are, and be that well.” This quote is one that all students attending Visitation schools learn and I believe learn well, although it  can be a tall order at times and it's not always easy to actually embody. But really? Who else can we possibly be? All we can ever aspire to be is to be ourselves - genuinely and completely. So take a moment, and think of your own unique attributes, and what only you can contribute to any situation. There is a way we can approach and contribute to life in general that is our unique expression. We can each make this world a better place in a particular way. If this seems to much to comprehend or bear, then just for today, be who you are, and be that well! Yes, just one day at a time! And over a succession of moments, and days, and then months and years - you will...

I was a little apprehensive this morning. I always am when I need to go to the doctor. It is not my favorite thing... I was due for a 6 month check up with my cardiologist. At our last meeting she wanted me to get all of my numbers in a target range, which I am happy to report, I either met or exceeded. But that is not why I am making this entry... When I got to the office, the nurse checking me in noted that my referral had expired. I thought it was good for 5 visits. It is - but within a certain time-frame. That, I did not know. She asked me to call my primary care physician's practice to have it faxed over. The problem is - they require a 24 to 48 hour notice. I called anyway and left my message. As the time of my appointment drew near, the nurse asked me if I had heard from my doctor's office. I shook my head negatively. So, she called. She spoke very nicely to the person at the other end whom I know to often be - shall we just say - "hard edged." The nu...

The last couple of weeks has brought its shares of challenges, blessings, and insights... I more or less had certain plans for the month which had to be abandoned as I was faced with several unplanned house repairs. In many ways, these needed repairs mirrored issues within my own soul that needed attention. A house has always been a wonderful metaphor for my soul and the work that it must do... Last week, as I left my acupuncturist, after having discussed with her some of the issues and decisions I was facing, I was greeted by a beautiful tiger swallowtail butterfly, that reminded me so much of the blue butterfly whose path mystically intersected with mine on a walk last fall.  Butterflies are symbolic of change, freedom, creativity, and joy. In ancient cultures they were also regarded as a sign of impending rebirth - of renewal or of a new beginning on a higher plane of existence. The various life cycles butterflies go through are indicative of questions we might need to ask...

Every year, I wait for one very special day: The day in between the Mahasamadhi of Paramahansa Yogananda and that of his own guru, Sri Yukteswar, just separated by a mere day... Yogananda's Mahasamadhi is on the 7th of March - and Sri Yukteswar's, is on the 9th. I like to think that Yogananda left his body to be with his own teacher and master on his day. I can imagine the party they had, and like good friends, imagine they stayed up all night getting caught up in each other's lives! (Not that they really needed to do that!) A mahasamadhi, is the "conscious exit" from the body and a particular lifetime by a great being when his or her task is done. It is something that all great gurus and lamas in both the Hindu and Buddhist traditions strive to attain, by living a life enriched by dedicated spiritual practices. It is said, that on the day of a great being's mahasamadhi, they are more present, and the attention they give to prayers and special requests is ampl...

What takes root in your heart? What do you feed? What grows like a weed and festers in your soul? What do you give your attention to? And what nourishes you? What arises magnificently within, and touches and even profoundly transforms others? This morning, I took my mother to church. She is visiting me, and will be a great help during my surgery and subsequent convalescence later this week. It was a long mass at St. John Neumann , in Reston, VA , which included the baptism of three children, and the farewell homily of a resident priest. The homily was based on one of my favorite scripture passages, the parable of the sower and his seeds ( Matthew 13: 1-23 ). For those who are unfamiliar with this reading, the passage recounts a story of a sower whose seeds fell on a ground where they were eaten by birds, on a shallow surface, where the nascent shoots became scorched because they had no roots, among the thorns, where the sprouts were strangled, and upon good soil, where the seeds laid d...