sacred spaces

I took a few days off last week for a personal retreat.  I went to a bed and breakfast on the Cape with a few books, journals and poems, a cooler full of snacks, and the wish to be emptied and filled.

Because it is the quiet season, I had my choice of rooms.  It was the bathtub that won me.  And so I chose this room.

I spent three nights here in solitude, and asked myself, “why do you retreat?”.  I wondered if it was to get away from my cares, and I realized  that I love my cares.  I love my family and my home- even all of the distractions that they provide me.  But I needed a few days to let some contemplations settle in, without the temptation of jumping up to do laundry or sweep the floor before they had really taken root within me.

I went for a few walks, but mostly hunkered down in the room.  I wasn’t lonely.  Not because I am such fascinating company, but because I do love the world, and find that it is fascinating.

I worked on poems, and I journaled and read…and somehow mostly settled into the realization that I love the Eternal Realm, the spiritual and poetical realm- not in opposition to my earthly experience, but in addition to it.  This was a lovely personal epiphany which brought me a lot of excitement and ease, and a great sense of well being.

Last week I remembered that it is in the human heart that heaven and earth meet and mingle and are glorious company to each other.  I realize this may sound obvious.  But it was something I was in danger of forgetting.

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