A Place to Be
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Newsletter
    • Blog
    • Summer Fireside Chat Series
  • Book Groups & Bible Studies
  • Other Offerings & Retreats
  • Community Events & Socials
  • Spiritual Companioning
  • Calendar of Events
  • Resources
    • Local Worship Services
    • Contemplative Practices
    • Prose that Touch the Heart
    • Discipleship Devotional Blog
  • Support
    • Friends of the Center
  • Contact Us
  • Art Regatta Fundraiser 2023

Tasting Divine Presence

5/7/2020

4 Comments

 
Last time I wrote, I spoke about the deep loneliness I was experiencing.  I expressed my longing to talk about it with others who might be able to relate to what I was experiencing.  It was a ‘crying out in the wilderness’ kind of call accompanied by a strong need for connection.  But my cry was met with silence – deafening silence.  It is so interesting to me that silence can have a weight to it, a denseness that feels like a sack of flour getting heavier and heavier; like a vast canyon deep within that echoes itself back into itself, where the dense, damp air clings and bring goosebumps to the skin.  That’s the kind of silence and loneliness I walked through.  Somewhere in the midst of it all, I realized I couldn’t run away from or try to push away this loneliness.  I’ve tried that before but it only re-emerges stronger than before.  I knew I finally needed to sink into and make friends with the darkness.  So that’s what I did.
 
I began by just allowing the feeling to surface, resisting the urge to push it down or distract it away.  I let it be my companion, day after day.  At times, I even entered into conversations with it to better understand what it had to show me.  I found it really interesting that I was suddenly drawn to poetry and the writings of the mystics – it’s as if the poets and the mystics spoke the language of this darkness, this hollowness, giving it shape and form.  I found much consolation and companionship in these writings.  My contemplative practices drew me more and more into that space of deep silence and loneliness and into deep rest.  And there Presence met me.  There I gazed into the Indwelling Spirit and was gazed upon in return.  The silence and deep loneliness no longer felt a burden but a gift.  It became space I didn’t want to share but hoard instead.  It’s like I discovered that priceless gem the Scriptures refer to and I was ready to sell everything I had to keep it!
 
I don’t know if any of this makes sense – I feel like there aren’t the right words to explain.  I can only say that the encounter with Presence and receiving that Divine gaze was a pivotal moment on my journey, like my own resurrection out of the depths.  I still feel the place of deep loneliness but I now know it is a safe, secure place were Presence can be known.  I’ve come to understand that only Presence can meet me there, it isn’t space that can be accessed by anyone else.  It’s become a place of deep knowing or maybe being known and loved, of unconditional, complete acceptance.  Just this little taste has enabled me to live these days without much fear or anxiety, in spite on the continued disturbing news about the effects of Covid-19. 
 
So if you are in the midst of this struggle, hang in there. If you feel the desire to talk through what you are experiencing, I am here to listen.  Only you and Presence can uncover answers but sometimes it helps to speak it into safe space.  I would be honored to hold that space with you.  

4 Comments
Richard Zbikowski
5/9/2020 01:58:49 am

Poetic and inspirational

Reply
Judy McMullin
5/25/2020 06:17:12 pm

You're a brave soul to share such deep feelings. One of my dark times began about 2 years ago when I realized that I had to do something with the self-critic in me that was undermining my happiness, self-esteem and peace of mind. I've come a long way and feel a great burden lifted. My faith played a big part along with people like Richard Rohr, Brene Brown, Tara Brach and Pema Chodron. Buddhism also felt like a lifeline.

Reply
Adriana Burnett link
6/19/2022 08:43:13 am

Good readding

Reply
Sean Graham link
10/17/2022 07:03:23 pm

Challenge poor discover. Almost occur find reveal strategy seek.
Once test indeed candidate plant.
Yet culture hold movie scene determine beat. Exactly if up.

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Picture

    Author

    Kelly is the Director of A Place To Be Spirituality Center.  Here she shares her thoughts and reflections about life, family, God, spirituality and whatever strikes her in the moment.  We hope something here resonates within your own spirit and that you will share.  Enter into the conversation, share your story, join the family of A Place To Be, a spiritual home for seekers wherever they are on their journey. We look forward to getting to know you!

    Categories

    All

Proudly powered by Weebly
A Place to Be Spirituality Center
166 W Dekora St     Saukville, WI     262-277-1928
Summer office hours available by appointment. 
Hours beginning 9/6/22: 12:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Tuesday & Wednesday, 2:00 p.m.-6:00 p.m. Thursday. Additional hours by appointment.
  • Home
  • About Us
    • Newsletter
    • Blog
    • Summer Fireside Chat Series
  • Book Groups & Bible Studies
  • Other Offerings & Retreats
  • Community Events & Socials
  • Spiritual Companioning
  • Calendar of Events
  • Resources
    • Local Worship Services
    • Contemplative Practices
    • Prose that Touch the Heart
    • Discipleship Devotional Blog
  • Support
    • Friends of the Center
  • Contact Us
  • Art Regatta Fundraiser 2023