Being Grateful to Meet Solitude
How can this be a time of solitude and not just separation and isolation? Thomas Merton, the Christian monk, wrote that “Solitude is not separation,” and that we go into the desert not to escape other people but in order to find them in God. During this pandemic, we’re spending more time with ourselves than…
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Connecting to Our Deepest Self Guided Meditation
What does it mean to connect to our solitude? What does it mean to know that there is a deep, secret, hidden present place within where we meet God and where God meets us. In those tender moments like right now, perhaps feeling overwhelmed, emotionally vulnerable, tired, there is a place within where it’s vast,…
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Being Present To Yourself Guided Meditation
Breathing in and breathing out. Arriving in this moment. Arriving home to yourself and to your heart. Letting yourself connect more consciously with your breath. Breathing in and breathing out. Taking the time to be with yourself. Connect with yourself more deeply. Finding the comfort that dwells within simply by being present to yourself. Hearing…
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Being a Vessel for Desire and Discovery
With the summer fog settling in, I’m finding myself nestled in my home studio, re-engaging with the painting process. As I place paint on canvas or paper, I follow desire. Not just my desire, but I discover the desire of the painting. The spirituality of creativity invites us into a “discovery” process. What does the…
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Remembering to Water Seeds of Joy!
Thich Nhat Hanh reminds us to water the seeds of joy in ourselves, especially during times of suffering. He writes, “When you are suffering, look deeply at your situation and find the conditions for joy that are already there, already available. You have eyes that can see, lungs that can breathe, legs that can walk,…
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In the river of loss and love
A few weeks ago, my father-in-law died. Although he didn’t have the coronavirus, it likely played a role since he couldn’t receive a hospital procedure for a “nonessential” medical issue, and he ended up dying of complications that resulted from his condition. Attending his online burial and family gatherings to honor him was both heartbreaking…
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