The following piece is an excerpt from a book called
To Bless the Space Between Us, by Irish poet, philosopher,
author and priest, John O'Donohue
To Bless the Space Between Us, by Irish poet, philosopher,
author and priest, John O'Donohue
Sara Smeaten shares his words about what it means to move
from one experience to another, to cross into new ways of being,
what it means to end one thing and begin another, and
ultimately, what it means to trust in the possibility that each
new threshold offers.
from one experience to another, to cross into new ways of being,
what it means to end one thing and begin another, and
ultimately, what it means to trust in the possibility that each
new threshold offers.
He reminds us that change has its own rhythm, its own course...
That it is happening even when we can't see it, and that it
can also be sudden and absolute. His words are magical
and yet deeply practical
That it is happening even when we can't see it, and that it
can also be sudden and absolute. His words are magical
and yet deeply practical
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Change arrives in nature when time has ripened. There are no
jagged transitions or crude discontinuities. This accounts for the
sureness with which one season succeeds another. It is as though
they were moving forward in a rhythm set from within a continuum.
jagged transitions or crude discontinuities. This accounts for the
sureness with which one season succeeds another. It is as though
they were moving forward in a rhythm set from within a continuum.
So often we opt to continue the old pattern, rather than risking the
danger of difference. We are also often surprised by change that
seems to arrive out of nowhere.
danger of difference. We are also often surprised by change that
seems to arrive out of nowhere.
We find ourselves crossing some new threshold we had never
anticipated. Like Spring secretly at work within the heart of winter,
below the surface of our lives huge changes are in fermentation.
We never suspect a thing. Then when the grip of some long-
enduring winter mentality begins to loosen, we find ourselves
vulnerable to a flourish of possibility and we are suddenly
negotiating the challenge of a threshold.
anticipated. Like Spring secretly at work within the heart of winter,
below the surface of our lives huge changes are in fermentation.
We never suspect a thing. Then when the grip of some long-
enduring winter mentality begins to loosen, we find ourselves
vulnerable to a flourish of possibility and we are suddenly
negotiating the challenge of a threshold.
To acknowledge and cross a new threshold is always a challenge.
It demands courage and also a sense of trust in whatever is
emerging. This becomes essential when a threshold opens suddenly
in front of you, one for which you had no preparation [or choice].
This could be illness, suffering or loss. Because we are so engaged
with the world, we usually forget how fragile life can be and how
vulnerable we always are. It takes only a couple of seconds for
a life to change irreversibly. Suddenly you stand on completely
strange ground and a new course of life has to be embraced.
Especially at such times we desperately need blessing and
protection. You look back at the life you have lived up to a few
hours before, and it suddenly seems to far away. Think for a
moment how, across the world, someone's life has just changed -
irrevocably, permanently, and not necessarily for the better -
and everything that was once so steady, so reliable, must now
find a new way of unfolding...
protection. You look back at the life you have lived up to a few
hours before, and it suddenly seems to far away. Think for a
moment how, across the world, someone's life has just changed -
irrevocably, permanently, and not necessarily for the better -
and everything that was once so steady, so reliable, must now
find a new way of unfolding...
.....we never know what destiny shapes each life. The script of
individual destiny is secret; it is hidden behind and beneath the
sequence of happenings that is continually unfolding for us.
Each life is a mystery that is never finally available to the
mind's light or questions. Acceptance of this can free us into
natural courage that casts out fear and opens up our lives to
become voyages of discovery, creativity, and compassion.
No threshold need be a threat, but rather an invitation and a
promise.
individual destiny is secret; it is hidden behind and beneath the
sequence of happenings that is continually unfolding for us.
Each life is a mystery that is never finally available to the
mind's light or questions. Acceptance of this can free us into
natural courage that casts out fear and opens up our lives to
become voyages of discovery, creativity, and compassion.
No threshold need be a threat, but rather an invitation and a
promise.
.....listen inward with complete attention until you hear the
inner voice calling your forward. The time has come to cross.
inner voice calling your forward. The time has come to cross.
John O'Donohue
via Sara Smeaten
via Sara Smeaten
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In the Universe there are things that are
known and things that are unknown and
in between there are doors.
known and things that are unknown and
in between there are doors.
William Blake
~
Solstice Blessings
as we cross the threshold today
as we cross the threshold today
~
Photo - A panoramic view of the Gloucester coast in Mass
Taken by my brother.
Taken by my brother.
It reminded me of a threshold, or an opening/door to
something beyond...
something beyond...
