Photo by Reese Erielle
Is anyone else out there looking for a break in the chaos? Are you like me thinking next month will be different? Surely it will stop, right? It just has to. Except that it doesn’t. It’s the major things …. like illness and loss … and it’s the mundane things like the AC and the car clutch going out. It doesn’t stop. The Creator of the Universe promised suffering. That is reality. There was also a promise of peace.
I have known peace. Even in really bad times, I have had tastes of it. But I’m not sure how to get there outside of being validated by other dear humans and finding a way to be okay with my sweet self. And for me, that always ends up requiring relationship.
I spent years in a spiritual direction group with six other women. We would get together weekly to listen in the silence on behalf of each other. It was one of my first tastes of communally sharing spiritual practices and experiencing mystical messages from inside myself and from others. I definitely found wisdom, direction and a little bit of peace.
The summer after I graduated from college, I stayed in Austin to teach tennis and enjoy Lake Travis before heading to grad school. Allison and I lived in a tiny apartment in Austin, both trying to find health and wholeness. We read a lot of books, studied together and spent time praying for each other. One day I was sitting on the floor while Alli prayed for me. I had this vivid experience of Jesus sitting behind me with His arms wrapped around me. When we were done praying, Alli told me she had a vivid image of Jesus sitting behind me with His arms wrapped around me. She described seeing exactly what I had felt. That was definitely a tiny, little miraculous moment of peace. And I felt ok with my sweet self.
These are just a couple examples of practices of spirituality happening in community that made a difference … not necessarily huge miracles or tectonic shifts in the universe, but just enough of a sacred touch to let you know:
Love just might be driving this Car.
I will be hosting a summer gathering called “The Sacred Way” starting in June. We will be using a book called Holy Hurt as a springboard into the deep waters of our own unique brand of spirituality. Our time will also include guided practices and discussions to increase our consciousness and respect of our body’s inner wisdom. There will be six sessions, each $25, offered on Friday Mornings or Monday Evenings. I will provide the space, the people, the time and a little guidance to help you find your sacred way.
I really hope to see you there!!
