| Rose (White) – Dawn Cove Abbey Garden – July 07 |
"[There is a need] to discover that we are capable of solitary joy and having experienced it,
know that we have touched the core of self." ~Barbara Lazear Ascher
know that we have touched the core of self." ~Barbara Lazear Ascher
Soundtrack: For My Lady: Moody Blues
Reflections thirteen years later:
Some would say what I experienced that day was an illusion –
a boy’s imagination. Then again, it could have been the Shehkinah
(the feminine principle); which I perceive to be closer to the
truth.
I believe in harmony in music, nature and human relationships;
and I believe in balance. In our incomplete and limited
understanding of the spiritual, cosmic aspect of life (seeing
through a glass darkly), harmony and balance are missing.
Our understanding leads us to see things in terms of dichotomy:
for example, “negative and positive” – yet in order for that to
be, balance/harmony between the two is needed. There is also a
very human tendency to see “female – male” as a dichotomy, as if
they were distinctly separate, rather than two aspects of one
harmonious balance. In our culture, the balance is too far toward
the negative, male side – a shift is needed to restore the
balance and thus bring about harmony.
In older spiritual approaches to life, allowance and
acknowledgement was made of the feminine principle – hence the
concept of the Shehkinah (or Matronit). For those who know me,
I have a rather large collection of “my Lady” figurines and
statuettes. They aren’t here to be worshipped or prayed to -
those are reminders of that missing component – and the need
for harmony and balance in daily human life; in this case, mine.
Some would say what I experienced that day was an illusion –
a boy’s imagination. Then again, it could have been the Shehkinah
(the feminine principle); which I perceive to be closer to the
truth.
I believe in harmony in music, nature and human relationships;
and I believe in balance. In our incomplete and limited
understanding of the spiritual, cosmic aspect of life (seeing
through a glass darkly), harmony and balance are missing.
Our understanding leads us to see things in terms of dichotomy:
for example, “negative and positive” – yet in order for that to
be, balance/harmony between the two is needed. There is also a
very human tendency to see “female – male” as a dichotomy, as if
they were distinctly separate, rather than two aspects of one
harmonious balance. In our culture, the balance is too far toward
the negative, male side – a shift is needed to restore the
balance and thus bring about harmony.
In older spiritual approaches to life, allowance and
acknowledgement was made of the feminine principle – hence the
concept of the Shehkinah (or Matronit). For those who know me,
I have a rather large collection of “my Lady” figurines and
statuettes. They aren’t here to be worshipped or prayed to -
those are reminders of that missing component – and the need
for harmony and balance in daily human life; in this case, mine.
Meditation
(from my seaside study)
Upon emerging from the reverie and prayerful state induced by the music of
Beethoven's Mass in C Major, I was impelled to shift to another location which
often serves as my "study". An alternate place to which I can retreat.
This other place is on a promontory overlooking a huge expanse of beach in a
small hamlet by the name of Mavillette - a scant 15 minutes from my home.
Once I had brought the car to rest, and replayed the "Sanctus" from the
Beethoven Mass (I did not dare replay the Gloria at this time as I had a return
trip to make back home), I was placed in yet another reverie. The surf rolling
in upon the beach in the distance (the tide was at its lowest point) and the
movement of wind driven clouds found me in a meditative, receptive state.
Listening closely to the inner voice which seemed to be speaking to me under the
spell of that music, I sensed that I was to move along to a place further along
the road. Upon composing myself as best I could, I started the car and more or
less followed that inner summons. Before long I found myself in the hamlet of
Saint Alphonse.
I must add here that Mavillette is part of what is locally known as the "French
Shore". This area along the Bay of Fundy in this part of Nova Scotia is
predominantly populated by Acadians, and thus there is a very strong Roman
Catholic influence. Each hamlet has its own church, most of which are painted in
beautiful colours. And each, somewhere upon its grounds has a statue of Our
Lady.
Saint Alphonse is no exception. Actually, within the past month or so, Saint
Alphonse has been the focus of much interest. It was reported by several
different local people (supposedly reliable) that the statue’s head had moved.
More precisely, the head of Our Lady's statue had turned direction for several
hours - and by next morning had returned to its usual position. This is still
under investigation, although the local bishop has been careful to allay any
unwonted publicity or speculations on "miracles".
But there I was, parked immediately across from it, still in my reverie.
Naturally, I did not expect to see any miracle, and yet, I had been drawn here.
Of course, I have a deep soft spot for Our Lady, thus such a "pull" came as no
surprise. In my reverie, I could not see the statue clearly. It was as if I were
seeing it through a haze, or mist. Again I was plunged almost immediately into a
trance-like state.
I was transported back to an incident that happened many years ago when I
was in my teens.
I had been walking along an isolated stretch of road in the rolling countryside
of eastern Ontario. It was late in the spring, and the grass was green and most
of the trees were in leaf and wild flowers were evident in great abundance.
And as I walked, a fragrance carried upon the spring breeze tickled my
nostrils: a fragrance at once familiar, yet one to which I could not put a name
(and to this day I still cannot do so). In a matter of moments, as that
fragrance fully impacted upon my olfactory senses, something occurred that has
left me puzzled, and impressed ever since.
It was as if suddenly someone had changed the world on me. That is, the scenery
changed. It was as if what had been there was a mural painted on a roller blind,
with someone suddenly rolling the blind up and displaying to view the vibrant
reality that lay behind it! Colours were brighter, more vibrant and intense.
Sounds were different; more pure. Everything was enhanced. Yet, the contours
were the same.
And all the while that this was happening I had the sensation of a female
presence standing directly behind me. I dared not turn around, or perhaps I
was too afraid, or maybe even "frozen" with the enormity of it all. Yet, I have
never felt so peaceful in all my life. And I have no idea still of how long that
scenario lasted. It could have been a matter of brief seconds, or many minutes,
or even hours. Time just simply stood still. To this day, I do not know.
And then almost as suddenly as it had appeared, it faded away, and I was
returned to the "normal" world; one which now seemed a pale and primitive
imitation of the "real" one (and has seemed as such ever since). Was it Her
presence I felt that day? I shall never know, perhaps. Yet, I have always
thought it to be Her, and this day, after being drawn to a statue of Her, I am
now even more certain.
As the Creator draws me into these reveries and renews my sense of wonder,
awe and appreciation for His/Her creation, and now has added the seeming
"call" from Our Lady Herself, I wonder what S/He has in store for such a
sojourner like me who is just one more traveller upon the way. I shall, however,
long remember this Holy Week.
Meditations on Our Lady -Klaas Tuinman+
Yarmouth, NS April 1, 1994 ~Good Friday~
(from my seaside study)
Upon emerging from the reverie and prayerful state induced by the music of
Beethoven's Mass in C Major, I was impelled to shift to another location which
often serves as my "study". An alternate place to which I can retreat.
This other place is on a promontory overlooking a huge expanse of beach in a
small hamlet by the name of Mavillette - a scant 15 minutes from my home.
Once I had brought the car to rest, and replayed the "Sanctus" from the
Beethoven Mass (I did not dare replay the Gloria at this time as I had a return
trip to make back home), I was placed in yet another reverie. The surf rolling
in upon the beach in the distance (the tide was at its lowest point) and the
movement of wind driven clouds found me in a meditative, receptive state.
Listening closely to the inner voice which seemed to be speaking to me under the
spell of that music, I sensed that I was to move along to a place further along
the road. Upon composing myself as best I could, I started the car and more or
less followed that inner summons. Before long I found myself in the hamlet of
Saint Alphonse.
I must add here that Mavillette is part of what is locally known as the "French
Shore". This area along the Bay of Fundy in this part of Nova Scotia is
predominantly populated by Acadians, and thus there is a very strong Roman
Catholic influence. Each hamlet has its own church, most of which are painted in
beautiful colours. And each, somewhere upon its grounds has a statue of Our
Lady.
Saint Alphonse is no exception. Actually, within the past month or so, Saint
Alphonse has been the focus of much interest. It was reported by several
different local people (supposedly reliable) that the statue’s head had moved.
More precisely, the head of Our Lady's statue had turned direction for several
hours - and by next morning had returned to its usual position. This is still
under investigation, although the local bishop has been careful to allay any
unwonted publicity or speculations on "miracles".
But there I was, parked immediately across from it, still in my reverie.
Naturally, I did not expect to see any miracle, and yet, I had been drawn here.
Of course, I have a deep soft spot for Our Lady, thus such a "pull" came as no
surprise. In my reverie, I could not see the statue clearly. It was as if I were
seeing it through a haze, or mist. Again I was plunged almost immediately into a
trance-like state.
I was transported back to an incident that happened many years ago when I
was in my teens.
I had been walking along an isolated stretch of road in the rolling countryside
of eastern Ontario. It was late in the spring, and the grass was green and most
of the trees were in leaf and wild flowers were evident in great abundance.
And as I walked, a fragrance carried upon the spring breeze tickled my
nostrils: a fragrance at once familiar, yet one to which I could not put a name
(and to this day I still cannot do so). In a matter of moments, as that
fragrance fully impacted upon my olfactory senses, something occurred that has
left me puzzled, and impressed ever since.
It was as if suddenly someone had changed the world on me. That is, the scenery
changed. It was as if what had been there was a mural painted on a roller blind,
with someone suddenly rolling the blind up and displaying to view the vibrant
reality that lay behind it! Colours were brighter, more vibrant and intense.
Sounds were different; more pure. Everything was enhanced. Yet, the contours
were the same.
And all the while that this was happening I had the sensation of a female
presence standing directly behind me. I dared not turn around, or perhaps I
was too afraid, or maybe even "frozen" with the enormity of it all. Yet, I have
never felt so peaceful in all my life. And I have no idea still of how long that
scenario lasted. It could have been a matter of brief seconds, or many minutes,
or even hours. Time just simply stood still. To this day, I do not know.
And then almost as suddenly as it had appeared, it faded away, and I was
returned to the "normal" world; one which now seemed a pale and primitive
imitation of the "real" one (and has seemed as such ever since). Was it Her
presence I felt that day? I shall never know, perhaps. Yet, I have always
thought it to be Her, and this day, after being drawn to a statue of Her, I am
now even more certain.
As the Creator draws me into these reveries and renews my sense of wonder,
awe and appreciation for His/Her creation, and now has added the seeming
"call" from Our Lady Herself, I wonder what S/He has in store for such a
sojourner like me who is just one more traveller upon the way. I shall, however,
long remember this Holy Week.
Meditations on Our Lady -Klaas Tuinman+
Yarmouth, NS April 1, 1994 ~Good Friday~
I share my writing and these thoughts with you, and ask that if you disagree with some of the details, to at least join me in the
quest for harmony and balance: each one teach one is still the most effective way.
Strife and division are not necessary components of life: they are choices each of us makes – we could choose harmony as easily
(and yes, my buttons can be pushed – and I haven’t always responded well when they were). There is no dichotomy. There is only
one, whole, integrated unity that we have broken up into a dichotomy. It is time we reunited the separated pieces.
May the Force be with you.
KT+ - 2007
quest for harmony and balance: each one teach one is still the most effective way.
Strife and division are not necessary components of life: they are choices each of us makes – we could choose harmony as easily
(and yes, my buttons can be pushed – and I haven’t always responded well when they were). There is no dichotomy. There is only
one, whole, integrated unity that we have broken up into a dichotomy. It is time we reunited the separated pieces.
May the Force be with you.
KT+ - 2007
MorningStar for people
To submit comments, requests or materials,
contact me at outreach@dawncoveabbey.org
contact me at outreach@dawncoveabbey.org
For empowerment workshops, seminars and lectures, see: http://www.dawncoveabbey.org/healing-circle
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MorningStar Inspiration from Dawn Cove Abbey
Article, haiku, humour and poem contributions are welcomed, and gratefully received
Layout & Design by DawnStar
__________________________________________________
MorningStar Inspiration from Dawn Cove Abbey
Article, haiku, humour and poem contributions are welcomed, and gratefully received
Layout & Design by DawnStar
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