In Silence and Solitude

I've been savoring these past two weeks on retreat.  Long days of mainly silence and solitude, interlaced with cherished time spent with family and close friends.  This week, my second, is devoted to reflection, long hikes, and quiet contemplation in the rich land of Door County, amidst ancient forests, wandering creeks and the beautiful Lake Michigan.  While much fruit is emerging in this sacred time, I was invited to share what came this morning, before I was called out into the forest grove for morning worship.  I don't consider myself a poet, or much of a writer, so I offer this with humility - take what is helpful, leave the rest.  Peace!

Silence within the silence
The invisible within the visible
That is where Spirit rests
That is the Real, Reality, Truth
Words only mask

True Presence is within the Silence
True connection is made in the Silence
True relationship/community is in the Silence
It is there that we are real
Words only mask

The invisible, within the visible, is what we connect to
Essence to Essence
Real to Real
Consciously or not, doesn't matter, the connection is still there
Consciousness brings awareness
Awareness brings Transformation
Transformation brings Blessing
All within the Silence
Words only mask

Can you hear the Silence within the silence?
Is your heart listening?
Words only mask, choose them carefully.

What we see in the visible, manifested world is only an echo of the reality underneath.
What our senses take in is just a manifestation of the spirit, the essence within.
The quest is to make the unseen seen.  Not hidden versus unhidden - this hints at being covered, buried, shrouded, underneath something else that, once removed, allows the object to be seen.  This is a valuable process, especially on the road to transformation.  Only by making unhidden that which is hidden can healing and transformation take place.
Unseen is different.  Unseen is essence, spirit, truth.  Unseen is what animates us, enlivens us.  The unseen is the drive behind our words and actions.  
The question then becomes:  what is the condition of our unseen self?  Who are we in that unseen place?  What does our seen self reveal about our unseen self?

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