This made me think about how often I reach for explanation instead of staying in what I don’t yet understand. Magdalene’s stillness feels less like passivity and more like a kind of discipline I’m not sure I’ve practiced enough.
If I have but one criticism of atheism, it's in the atheist who feels justified in circling back to mock those who deconstruct yet still have some unexplainable inner knowing (it's the only way I know to describe it) that something beyond us exists. Without realizing it, they have become the very thing they despised about organized religion, which teaches an unflinching, unquestionable faith and an uncanny ability to judge and be cruel in doing so. I have fully rejected the god of my Christian heritage, yet still feel drawn to something unnamed, calm, esoteric, within me. I don't need proof, nor do I need to convince someone that this is true for me. I may never get any closer to understanding it, but it is enough.
I was going through a terrible time a few decades ago, and one day at work, I felt the unmistakable presence of a (really Witchy) friend of mine right beside me. It felt like she was inviting me to just lean on her for a little while. She was miles away, but I felt her presence and her comfort. I called her that evening when I got home, and just said, "thank you," and she knew exactly what I meant. I asked if she could teach me, and she did.
I still return to all the warnings, prohibitions and fear that is built into many traditions. It wants you to "run the experience be them" so they decide if it is legit or not.
Makes me admire prior mystics more that they help on the the experience and presence even when tortured.
This made me think about how often I reach for explanation instead of staying in what I don’t yet understand. Magdalene’s stillness feels less like passivity and more like a kind of discipline I’m not sure I’ve practiced enough.
Re-cognition.
If I have but one criticism of atheism, it's in the atheist who feels justified in circling back to mock those who deconstruct yet still have some unexplainable inner knowing (it's the only way I know to describe it) that something beyond us exists. Without realizing it, they have become the very thing they despised about organized religion, which teaches an unflinching, unquestionable faith and an uncanny ability to judge and be cruel in doing so. I have fully rejected the god of my Christian heritage, yet still feel drawn to something unnamed, calm, esoteric, within me. I don't need proof, nor do I need to convince someone that this is true for me. I may never get any closer to understanding it, but it is enough.
Recognizing is done by the body not the mind
It has always been not about dogma or belief but about practice (CB)
You got it!!
I was going through a terrible time a few decades ago, and one day at work, I felt the unmistakable presence of a (really Witchy) friend of mine right beside me. It felt like she was inviting me to just lean on her for a little while. She was miles away, but I felt her presence and her comfort. I called her that evening when I got home, and just said, "thank you," and she knew exactly what I meant. I asked if she could teach me, and she did.
Belief is an old friend
Ma’rifa is the new kid I want to get to know but for some reason, don’t know how to
Gratitude for introducing me to questions that could teach me how to
Fantastic article.
I still return to all the warnings, prohibitions and fear that is built into many traditions. It wants you to "run the experience be them" so they decide if it is legit or not.
Makes me admire prior mystics more that they help on the the experience and presence even when tortured.