A baby centipede ran fast close to my feet in the bathroom.
Startled, we were both fearful, and quick to move.
I pondered whether to stamp its life out of existence.
Then I moved my feet a little further away from it, pondering how amazing it is that the centipede was just following an instinctive path to water, which is where it was clearly headed.
It is the place where most all creatures have a wondrous inner knowing of and find path to, whether weary or vital.
Then the centipede ran fast and closer to my feet, and I thought about my reptilian brain and how fearful thoughts can be like scary centipedes.
I moved my feet again with less fear.
The centipede came nearer still.
And I moved my feet again.
Only this time, I thanked the centipede for leading me nearer to water with all of its properties, metaphors, and spiritual depths.
Though we were never meant to hug, today we would both come from a place even closer; my innermost space. Together, we would come from as well as be on the same path to water.
Hi Carrie and all. Thanks so much for this invitation to consider wholeness. For me...it is the deep breath. It calls me into the present moment and gently invites me to honor what IS! This being present holds the space for healing, holiness, wholeness and joy!
I have my morning begin with readings like your, and outside my window I get to watch two humming come for a drink. Meditation and watching them help me focus on what feeds my soul.
Hendersonville has many special memories. The city were grandparents, my aunt and uncle, and our cousins. We lived just miles away in Brevard A hope you have time to go visit. It is a charming city with lots art and music. Tree lined streets with rocking chairs and lots of art galleries.
Wow. This one took some deeper reflection, and I realize it’s because the answer isn’t static, but evolving. Right now, it would be the stream in the woods that has been diverted from its duties as the power behind a now decorative water wheel. They used to work together, in ‘wholeness’, to create bricks for the defunct foundry. It’s now a quieter gentle moving waterway. I wonder if it misses the ride, the filling up, the lifting up, the plunging, the energy and excitement. I wonder if it’s content as we walk beside it, now the containers for the wholeness of gift, coming from/moving to the Source. I wonder that we, too, rest content as we walk through our world, individual waterfalls of Wholeness, giving and receiving.
Lovely. That "Hidden Wholeness" that Merton noted-is everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
The songs of birds bring me to home plate every time. Such profound language that has the purpose of calling out for connection. My touchstone. Everything calls out for connection. Intimacy. In many ways God for me is the experience of intimacy-connection to something outside my EGO.
Lovely! My metaphor is what I call "My Country Road". It is path that I walk often through a wooded area with a large meadow deep within and a lovely lake at the end. Here nature speaks. Sometimes it's the bird songs, or the deer tracks, the large turtles in the creek far below. Nature is abundant here and I find great peace and a deep connection to creation.
When I find myself anxious, overwhelmed, or confused, if I go for a walk on a trail among the trees I slowly feel my tension release from my body as I listen to the “voices” of the trees, the song of wind through wood and leaves; I sense the trees breathing slowly, deeply, and I fall into their rhythm. I love to see their different shapes: straight and tall, curved and twisted, some leaning and growing with each other in surprising ways. Even those that have fallen to the ground to return life to the earth tell a story, a beautiful story. I can’t say that I find answers among the trees, but I am found by something that holds my questions in Love. Thank you.
It has to be for me Monarch butterflies. I have learned so much from raising them. It is a beautiful circle of life with them. They don't do much..they eat, they sleep, they crawl around, they sometimes bump into each other BUT even as caterpillars they are lovely with their bold stripes. All the action starts when they are making their chrysalis. It never ceases to amaze me how they do it. And even more amazing is their becoming such beautiful butterflies. Coming out of the chrysalis is hard. It rocks back and forth and their wings are tucked in and crumpled. But from this struggle comes the Monarch...beautiful, strong, bringing joy, ready to fly, and definitely an example of wholeness. To me this is like my life: I am ordinary some days..sleeping, eating, moving around, bumping into others. Some days are harder than others. I can struggle. But most days (thank the good Lord) I feel lovely, strong, ready to bring joy and beauty. I am ready to fly and feel the wholeness of my life.
Thank you again Carrie for your thought moving words. They are a gift.
This is so beautiful, Robin. Such lovely reflections. I’m reminded that there is a melting in the chrysalis - talk about Wholeness! And the wonder that they cannot be helped in that early wing stage, or they will never fly. 💞
Thank you for this.
Closer To Water
A baby centipede ran fast close to my feet in the bathroom.
Startled, we were both fearful, and quick to move.
I pondered whether to stamp its life out of existence.
Then I moved my feet a little further away from it, pondering how amazing it is that the centipede was just following an instinctive path to water, which is where it was clearly headed.
It is the place where most all creatures have a wondrous inner knowing of and find path to, whether weary or vital.
Then the centipede ran fast and closer to my feet, and I thought about my reptilian brain and how fearful thoughts can be like scary centipedes.
I moved my feet again with less fear.
The centipede came nearer still.
And I moved my feet again.
Only this time, I thanked the centipede for leading me nearer to water with all of its properties, metaphors, and spiritual depths.
Though we were never meant to hug, today we would both come from a place even closer; my innermost space. Together, we would come from as well as be on the same path to water.
Sitting still with my eyes closed and simply following the inhale and exhale of my breath.
Hi Carrie and all. Thanks so much for this invitation to consider wholeness. For me...it is the deep breath. It calls me into the present moment and gently invites me to honor what IS! This being present holds the space for healing, holiness, wholeness and joy!
I have my morning begin with readings like your, and outside my window I get to watch two humming come for a drink. Meditation and watching them help me focus on what feeds my soul.
Hendersonville has many special memories. The city were grandparents, my aunt and uncle, and our cousins. We lived just miles away in Brevard A hope you have time to go visit. It is a charming city with lots art and music. Tree lined streets with rocking chairs and lots of art galleries.
Wow. This one took some deeper reflection, and I realize it’s because the answer isn’t static, but evolving. Right now, it would be the stream in the woods that has been diverted from its duties as the power behind a now decorative water wheel. They used to work together, in ‘wholeness’, to create bricks for the defunct foundry. It’s now a quieter gentle moving waterway. I wonder if it misses the ride, the filling up, the lifting up, the plunging, the energy and excitement. I wonder if it’s content as we walk beside it, now the containers for the wholeness of gift, coming from/moving to the Source. I wonder that we, too, rest content as we walk through our world, individual waterfalls of Wholeness, giving and receiving.
Lovely. That "Hidden Wholeness" that Merton noted-is everywhere and nowhere at the same time.
The songs of birds bring me to home plate every time. Such profound language that has the purpose of calling out for connection. My touchstone. Everything calls out for connection. Intimacy. In many ways God for me is the experience of intimacy-connection to something outside my EGO.
Bless your day Carrie.
Lovely! My metaphor is what I call "My Country Road". It is path that I walk often through a wooded area with a large meadow deep within and a lovely lake at the end. Here nature speaks. Sometimes it's the bird songs, or the deer tracks, the large turtles in the creek far below. Nature is abundant here and I find great peace and a deep connection to creation.
Here is a short piece I wrote about Starlings... you might enjoy.September Skies
As the sun’s journey from horizon to horizon quickens
And the days shorten
September skies host shifting swirls of starlings
Leaderless sways of syncopation.
A recruiting whirling dance enticing their winged brethren to join.
A prelude frolic for their annual autumn migratory journey.
Humankind pronounce their scruffy appearance unappealing
But oh! What miraculous splendid packages they are
Garbed with feathers that endure until their next annual molt
With instincts guiding them on their imprinted venture
To habitats and feeding fields more promising than those they depart
Genes of countless preceding generations their guide.
Evening roostings resting raucously in suburbia trees
Gatherings at first light evenly spaced on power lines
I wish I could understand their friendly excited chatterings
Perhaps they would bid me by Starling example
To adapt and exist peacefully together
Living free and joyfully -- doing no harm.
I am sharing it today at Fairfield Meeting.... you know the place..and we know and love you
a beautiful melody - Bach or Joni Mitchell - sung from the heart. It connects me to the creator spirit at the center of all things.
Ahhh Richard... he had a way with birds. Thank you for the gentle reminder, and the poem. Yo You too are a mystic, Carrie.
Your poem spoke to my heart this morning!
When I find myself anxious, overwhelmed, or confused, if I go for a walk on a trail among the trees I slowly feel my tension release from my body as I listen to the “voices” of the trees, the song of wind through wood and leaves; I sense the trees breathing slowly, deeply, and I fall into their rhythm. I love to see their different shapes: straight and tall, curved and twisted, some leaning and growing with each other in surprising ways. Even those that have fallen to the ground to return life to the earth tell a story, a beautiful story. I can’t say that I find answers among the trees, but I am found by something that holds my questions in Love. Thank you.
It has to be for me Monarch butterflies. I have learned so much from raising them. It is a beautiful circle of life with them. They don't do much..they eat, they sleep, they crawl around, they sometimes bump into each other BUT even as caterpillars they are lovely with their bold stripes. All the action starts when they are making their chrysalis. It never ceases to amaze me how they do it. And even more amazing is their becoming such beautiful butterflies. Coming out of the chrysalis is hard. It rocks back and forth and their wings are tucked in and crumpled. But from this struggle comes the Monarch...beautiful, strong, bringing joy, ready to fly, and definitely an example of wholeness. To me this is like my life: I am ordinary some days..sleeping, eating, moving around, bumping into others. Some days are harder than others. I can struggle. But most days (thank the good Lord) I feel lovely, strong, ready to bring joy and beauty. I am ready to fly and feel the wholeness of my life.
Thank you again Carrie for your thought moving words. They are a gift.
This is so beautiful, Robin. Such lovely reflections. I’m reminded that there is a melting in the chrysalis - talk about Wholeness! And the wonder that they cannot be helped in that early wing stage, or they will never fly. 💞
Thank you Cynthia...I love that "there is a melting in the chrysalis" beautiful words!
I am reminded of a quote: the bird of Paradise alights on the hand that does not grasp.
--John Berry
In the mountains with the tall trees!!