click on picture to visit the story ‘With Mardi Gras over, Lent Begins’
Last night as I lowered my eyes
ashes on my forehead
marking the spot where heaven meets earth
the crucible of the thing
heart breaking open
teshuvah
returning to an earlier state
sorrowfulness for having left Eden
and gone
naked
into my life
even if for just a moment
turning my face away from the Shekinah.
Today I put my whole life force into motion
all my attention, singularly focused
to turn my face
my being
back towards the Source.
This turning is like moving a battleship.
It will take about 40 days.
Only then to start the path of leaving home and returning
all over again.
But now, well now,
I get it.
It’s not about being bad or wrong or left out of the Circle.
It’s about that almost endearing human thing we do.
We get distracted.
I want to see clearly.
That’s why I put ashes on my third eye.
Over the next six weeks, friends and I are doing a Lenten study course with Christine Valters Paintner from the wonderful Abbey of the Arts. I will be writing some of my reflections, returning to ancient practices that can help me renew my most sacred vows. This is not easy or done without discernment, having left most religious ‘trappings’ behind. But I’m feeling drawn to revisit and see them with new eyes, as if for the first time. I hope you will consider traveling with me/us on this pilgrimage to the Heart of the Matter.