THE WEEK BEFORE EASTER
The week leading up to and including Good Friday, which, in the Christian calendar, is the day marking the crucifixion of Jesus of Nazareth, is the annual residential gathering of years one and two EfM participants.
I wrote about this experience two weeks later. When I read it now it feels very disconnected and ethereal. Not surprising because within a week of getting home I found myself in hospital having suffered a heart attack. During recovery I wrote this. Writing about my heart had to wait.
I felt I had to recapture the defining moments of the residential before it got swallowed up completely.
The hugs. Embracing and comforting, heartfelt, unconditional, wordless and yet with such deep meaning.
The stories. Deep connections that humbled, inspired, broke my heart and then mended it again, the honesty and openness.
The tears.
Christianity and the Early Quaker Vision
I have not sat comfortably with the christian tradition, church, hierarchy, teachings, bible since my studies from childhood to young adult when there was full-blown rebellion and rejection. An opening of my heart to the mere possibility that Christianity may have something to say to me, to teach me, to comfort me was joyful and astonishing.
The prophetic vision awakened a passionate fire in my heart to know and understand more. What a gift.
Quietness
A day of silence and peace. Some of that day I sat by a tree stump, lakeside. And reflected on prophetic voice. This poem emerged.
The concept of being a prophet did not sit comfortably with me. And then a phrase came to mind which, in Quakerspeak, "Spoke to my condition".
I wrote about this experience two weeks later. When I read it now it feels very disconnected and ethereal. Not surprising because within a week of getting home I found myself in hospital having suffered a heart attack. During recovery I wrote this. Writing about my heart had to wait.
I felt I had to recapture the defining moments of the residential before it got swallowed up completely.
The hugs. Embracing and comforting, heartfelt, unconditional, wordless and yet with such deep meaning.
The stories. Deep connections that humbled, inspired, broke my heart and then mended it again, the honesty and openness.
The tears.
Christianity and the Early Quaker Vision
I have not sat comfortably with the christian tradition, church, hierarchy, teachings, bible since my studies from childhood to young adult when there was full-blown rebellion and rejection. An opening of my heart to the mere possibility that Christianity may have something to say to me, to teach me, to comfort me was joyful and astonishing.
The prophetic vision awakened a passionate fire in my heart to know and understand more. What a gift.
Quietness
A day of silence and peace. Some of that day I sat by a tree stump, lakeside. And reflected on prophetic voice. This poem emerged.
The concept of being a prophet did not sit comfortably with me. And then a phrase came to mind which, in Quakerspeak, "Spoke to my condition".
Testimonies
The Mobius strip a joining of the mundane with the spiritual.
Breath, silence, letting go, healing, member of green party, reading, prayer, reflection, smiling at strangers, visiting, caring for my nephew, committees, worship.
Discernment
Willingness to be open to God. Say YES. Say HELP. Be prepared to not be on control. Be in a place to be enabled to change. Face fears.
Attentiveness to what Spirit is saying. Listen at a deeper level than ego and personality. Allow to be nudged. Recognise the soul's nudges (or midges !). Be prepared to ask for help.
Responsiveness to the need to test the choice and the need to have others help to gain clearness. Don't jump in with both feet. Push the door open gently. Wait in the presence and support others. The discernment will be much stronger and well grounded when all these three strands are plaited together.There will be a sense of authenticity, integrity, peace and love within.
Clearness
The power of the three. The gifts given. The gifts received. The unity with discernment. The stories chosen. The depth and wonder.
On the last full day of the week someone asked...............
The Mobius strip a joining of the mundane with the spiritual.
Breath, silence, letting go, healing, member of green party, reading, prayer, reflection, smiling at strangers, visiting, caring for my nephew, committees, worship.
Discernment
Willingness to be open to God. Say YES. Say HELP. Be prepared to not be on control. Be in a place to be enabled to change. Face fears.
Attentiveness to what Spirit is saying. Listen at a deeper level than ego and personality. Allow to be nudged. Recognise the soul's nudges (or midges !). Be prepared to ask for help.
Responsiveness to the need to test the choice and the need to have others help to gain clearness. Don't jump in with both feet. Push the door open gently. Wait in the presence and support others. The discernment will be much stronger and well grounded when all these three strands are plaited together.There will be a sense of authenticity, integrity, peace and love within.
Clearness
The power of the three. The gifts given. The gifts received. The unity with discernment. The stories chosen. The depth and wonder.
On the last full day of the week someone asked...............