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The Gate of Heaven is Everywhere

Reading William Thiele’s The Gate of Heaven is Everywhere is like slipping into a cool green lake. Refreshing, rejuvenating, and thoroughly immersive. I’ve done contemplation of one sort or another throughout my life, and William’s book reminded me why. But, more importantly, it taught me that the way I do contemplation is...

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The Gaze of Compassion

“Imagine the moment when the presence of Great Love gazes with compassion on the parts of me with which I struggle.” This prompt was brought to us by a member of our Contemplative Writing Group gathering. At the time, all-consuming Great Stress filled my life; I struggled to remember Great Love. So writing contemplatively on the gaze...

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Love Lives On

This week, our family lost a loved one. The funeral was heart-wrenching. An incredible light, gone far too soon. But joy too. Gratitude for having her, the delight she was on this earth. One thing I know from the service: love lives on. For the nine hour drive to-and-from the funeral, rain pounded. Windshield wipers flailing, me squinting to...

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Wild Poems

My emotions rocklike wavesa victim of forces uncontrolled. My heart singsLord, it’s beautiful.How does that calm survive the chaos? Purple Martins fly,Ripe plums bend branches.Beautiful brick marcheswhere grass grows green.We will all be okay. A jigsaw of cloudsWhat looks forebodingcreates contrast, warning us,“We are alive.” We...

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Re-Potted

I netted the fig tree. I planted five yellow flowering plants and four purple flowering plants. I tore up a decomposing tomato barrel, threw away the pieces, and dispersed the dirt. I did the same for two other rotten containers. I took four tropicals that didn’t come in hanging baskets and re-potted them into hanging baskets. I planted four...

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That Humming is You

No one is getting out of this alive. The flow will continue after you, it never stops. Don’t dam it. Jump into the stream. Don’t struggle. Roll. Submerge. Stopper your ears and listen. That humming is you, your life energy. What you bring into the world. Once you are gone, that particular humming will stop. Love it. Marvel in it....

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Contemplative Writing Prompts for Lent: Goodbye

Today, with our contemplative writing prompts for Lent, we say goodbye. Goodbye to the old way of looking at the world. So long to believing in violent retribution. And, most immediately, goodbye to each other. Well, I’ll still be here, but no more contemplative writing prompts for Lent. Because we won’t be with each other tomorrow...

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Contemplative Writing Prompts for Lent: 39

When it goes dark, how do you hold onto hope? Today, with our Contemplative Writing Prompts for Lent: 39, we’re on Good Friday. On this day, Jesus lay in the tomb with everyone believing him dead. When we don’t know a favorable outcome is in the offing, how do we hope. Write into your source of hope? When the pain in your abdomen...

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