Food for the Soul | October 21st, 2020

10/21/2020

Dear Friends,

Let’s talk about light today. I am so struck by how intense the light falls on my color-changing trees during the season of autumn. It invites me to intentionally take in and linger in the beauty of the trees and nature around it. Light is an elusive energy. We can’t really see it, but we see things because of it. And it allows us to see things from different perspectives depending on the angle with which the light falls. It is the ground of all being.

In the gospel of Matthew (5:14) Jesus says: You are the light of the world. The way I understand this is that the original Light (the Divine Wisdom, God) that created us continues to shine on us, in us, and through us. At the same time it goes forth from us into the world, just like it did in the beginning when the Light created us and the whole cosmos. It is this Light that put us in our self-creating universe and that will be with us forever. Some spiritual guides suggest that “the light” is our consciousness. Supposedly back in biblical times there was no word for consciousness, so they used the word “light” instead. And it makes sense. Light enlightens us, leads us into ever-evolving consciousness. Ponder on this.

PRAYER

Why am I reaching again for the brushes?

When I paint your portrait, God,

nothing happens.

But I can choose to feel you.

At my senses’ horizon

you appear hesitantly,

like scattered islands

Yet standing here, peering out,

I’m all the time seen by you..

The choruses of angels use up all of heaven.
There’s no more room for you

in all that glory. You’re living

in your very last house.

All creation holds its breath, listening within me,

because, to hear you, I keep silent.

-          Rainer Maria Rilke, The Book of Hours

PRACTICE

Take in the beauty of light, wherever it falls; let the light enter your heart and feel enlightened. When dusk comes, light a candle and just be.

POEM

Softening the Soul

-          Robert J. Wicks

Lighting a candle

in the dark room

is a small gentle act of peace.

When the match touches the wick,

time slows down

and the race to the future ceases.

Worries are consumed

anxiety burns out

and I sigh deeply.

Watching the flickering light

is a graceful prayer

which eases my stress and lessens my strain.

Finally when the flame goes out

I turn quietly back,

to the events of the day

And find everything changed because of the time

I sat softening my soul

…by candlelight.