Day 39: Sacred Space

"The Celtic tradition honors the nearness and every day presence of the Divine...God is to be found by looking deeply into life." Jerry Wright, Minister and Jungian Analyst.

"God is to be found looking deeply into life."

Looking deeply into life...Deeply into life...
Into life...Life...

All of life is an opening to God. Pouring coffee in the morning, driving to work, listening to a friend, cooking dinner, walking the dog, crying over a sad movie, laughing with a loved one, getting angry, making love,...God is to be found looking deeply into life.

We need not travel far, or look for God "out there." The Celts were aware of the "radical imminence of God." Jerry Wright believes, "God is not a 'Being,' but BEING itself; the animating presence of all life."

What beautiful imagery. How easy it can be to lose sight of this radical imminence. Life takes over and we forget the divinity in each breath. Emotions grip us and we forget to lean into them with the loving support of the "Animating Presence." Such is the path of the human.

Rabbi Rami Shapiro says it well, "Remembering and Forgetting is my spiritual path." And so it is.

For many of us, creating a daily ritual is a touchstone, reminder of the "imminence of God." Others also have designated space in their homes or apartments where they go to commune with God.

I have an old chest underneath a window overlooking a garden. Placed on the chest are beautiful cards I have been given by Sr. Mary, my sister Kathy, and a iconography of Mary Magdalene painted by one of the sisters at St. Helena. There are also painted stones of Buddhist monks, a chalice made by Kiki at camp years ago, Rhonda's pink rosary beads, mala beads, a gift of sand given by Brendan long ago, a picture of Lama Norlha, a candle from Caroline, an iconography of the trinity from Sandra, an incense holder, a hand painted Ukrainian egg made by Sr. KC, a Celtic cross from Patty, Boomer's purple dog collar, a wooden statue of Mary and Jesus that Mom brought back from Oberammergau, and a prayer shawl made by a retreat participant. This is my altar. In front of the altar is a purple meditation cushion and zafu given as a birthday gift from Malcolm years ago.

Yes, God is found looking deeply into life...in all the moments that make a life. And for me, taking time to light candles, burn incense, sit in silence and honor and acknowledge the Animating Presence is a touchstone in each day. A call to home. A call to forgive. A call to ask forgiveness. A call to love. A call to laugh. A call to cry. A call to BE.

If you have a daily ritual and/or sacred space in your home, take a moment and consider what this ritual/space is and how it feeds you. Could you benefit from "refreshing" it in some way? New candles? A new prayer? Perhaps it is lovely as it is...give thanks.

If you do not have a daily ritual and/or sacred space in your home. I encourage you to take time to create them. Have fun with this. What is meaningful to you? What reminds you of the Sacred?

If you would like any support in putting this together, please feel free to email me at mary@marybeasullivan.com. Enjoy! Namaste