I have had the privilege of belonging to a women’s reflection group for a number of years. We are a dozen spiritual seekers. We meet virtually every week at 8 a.m. before we set off for our daily tasks. Each of us takes our turn as initiators. In rotation, we take the lead in choosing the topic for our morning get together. Prior to our virtual gathering, the scheduled person on her chosen theme emails to us a poem, an art piece, a series of quotes, or a written excerpt, as a catalyst for our upcoming morning’s reflection and personal sharing.
I offer you one such catalyst, the enriching poem by John O’Donohue which sparked rich sharing during our recent virtual gathering. The format was simple, as is most often the case. We were asked to share on the text or specific lines that touched us. Sixty minutes were easily filled by the insights and experiences of one another. Hopefully, it will also provide you with food for thought and soul as it did for our band of spiritual seekers. -Sister Nancy Wales
A Blessing for Presence
May you awaken to the mystery of being here
and enter the quiet immensity of your own presence.
May you have joy and peace in the temple of your senses.
May you receive great encouragement when new frontiers beckon.
May you respond to the call of your gift and the courage to follow its path.
May the flame of anger free you from falsity.
May warmth of heart keep your presence aflame.
May anxiety never linger about you.
May your outer dignity mirror an inner dignity of soul.
May you take time to celebrate the quiet miracles that seek no attention.
May you be consoled in the secret symmetry of your soul.
May you experience each day as a sacred gift, woven around the heart of wonder.
John O'Donohue (1 January 1956 – 4 January 2008) was an Irish poet, author, priest, and philosopher. He was a native Irish speaker, and as an author is best known for popularising Celtic spirituality. (~ Wikipedia)
Source: O’Donohue, J., (1998). Eternal Echoes. Exploring our hunger to belong. London, Bantam Books. p.139. Image: Unsplash/stefzn
