John O’Donohue was an Irish poet, priest and philosopher, whose tender gift for words could touch even the most defended of hearts. I recently came across this beautiful blessing of his (below) and shared it with a Broadview United Church friend, the Reverend Margaret Harper. She was as moved as I and chose to use the blessing for a Blue Christmas service and an Advent “Sacred Pause” meditation/reflection. Since then, she and I shared some more ideas about the blessing.
Please watch the video first. [John O’Donohue’s voice alone has a healing effect!] What follows the video is a collaborative Sacred Pause reflection by the Reverend Margaret Harper and me. May you savour and enjoy both the blessing and the reflection.
Sacred Pause Reflection
When the rhythm of the heart becomes hectic,
Time takes on the strain until it breaks;
Then all the unattended stress falls in
On the mind like an endless, increasing weight.
We come this evening, paying attention to the many ways our bodies, minds and souls are exhausted and spent. Living in this world has become more and more challenging and complex. Over time, the weight of the hours and days and months pile up. What do we do with the magnitude of this weight that has settled upon us and in us?
I invite you to sit for a minute and scan your body. Where are you carrying stress and exhaustion this evening? Gently, gently observe the weight of your thoughts, the heaviness of your emotions, and the tightness of the muscles and joints that make up your skeleton… befriend these as best you can.
The light in the mind becomes dim.
Things you could take in your stride before
Now become laboursome events of will.
These days are growing shorter and darker, and we long for a return of the light. The passage of time makes so many demands upon us….it is hard to live when that which used to give us pleasure seems to demand too much from us.
Weariness invades your spirit.
Gravity begins falling inside you,
Dragging down every bone.
The Psalmist speaks of this exhaustion with the phrase, “my bones are disjointed; my heart is like wax, melting within me” (Psalm 22:14). It’s not that we don’t want to live with passion and purpose, it’s just that gravity is heavy and the wax is flowing, pulling us helplessly into a pool on the floor.
The tide you never valued has gone out.
And you are marooned on unsure ground.
Something within you has closed down;
And you cannot push yourself back to life.
Lost and confused, and maybe alone, we long for deep rest…rest that restores our life force, rest that brings us back to our life’s purpose, and rest that reconnects us to a life of joy, shared heart to heart, and soul to soul. We long for the tide to come back.
You have been forced to enter empty time.
The desire that drove you has relinquished.
There is nothing else to do now but rest
And patiently learn to receive the self
You have forsaken for the race of days
Ah yes, this race of days that becomes a cycle, impossible to sustain. This race of days that becomes an end in and of itself, rather than a journey to be savoured and enjoyed. Empty time….Hmm, I wonder what that is? A time to catch up with our very own, long-missed self? What will it mean to receive back my own dear self?
At first your thinking will darken
And sadness take over like listless weather.
The flow of unwept tears will frighten you.
When was the last time you wept, dear friends? When was the last time you allowed yourself to simply be with—and not try to fight off—all the emotions that have been building up inside?
You have traveled too fast over false ground;
Now your soul has come to take you back.
Take refuge in your senses, open up
To all the small miracles you rushed through.
And so, this evening, we invite our souls to come back to us…like a friend or lover who knows us intimately, and knows exactly what it is to be in the presence of the miracle of love. For we are in the season of Advent…the season of waiting patiently, and being open to the miracles of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love.
Become inclined to watch the way of rain
When it falls slow and free.
Feel now, a gentle rain falling upon you…cleansing, refreshing, bringing you back from exhaustion.
Imitate the habit of twilight,
Taking time to open the well of colour
That fostered the brightness of day.
The colours are beginning to emerge again from within your being, replacing the greys and blacks. How delightful….pinks and purples, deep rosy hues, vibrant blues and verdant greens.
Draw alongside the silence of stone
Until its calmness can claim you.
Be excessively gentle with yourself.
A calmness begins to settle, softening all the edges, lifting the weight from your shoulders and your heart. In silence, we can experience the healing balm of Presence. Now is the season of gentleness. Now is the time for self-compassion.
Stay clear of those vexed in spirit.
Learn to linger around someone of ease
Who feels they have all the time in the world.
It is now becoming clear to you exactly what your own spirit needs in this time. Trust the good spirit that is at work within you. Lingering is a gift that needs to be honoured. Put away the frenetic need of rushing here and there or rehashing over and over some troublesome thought…Time is becoming a friend who has much to teach you.
Gradually, you will return to yourself,
Having learned a new respect for your heart
And the joy that dwells far within slow time.
As you ponder your heart, as you become one with the Breath of Life, you begin to make a space for the gift of Joy to spread its wings. This Joy dwells deep within you, and has waited for such a time as this.
Continue breathing, continue to let go of that which does not serve you, continue to receive the blessings of this Sacred Season of Advent.
We will now go into 5 minutes of silence….
In Closing
I would like to say something about the picture at the top of this page. It’s a photo of a print I have of a 1985 painting by Gabriola Island artist Paul Grignon. I felt, somehow, it was fitting for this blog post. The work was originally called “Phosphorescent Surf.” I like to call it “At One with the All,” as it arouses in me feelings of peace and of awe. In terms of John O’Donohue’s blessing, maybe a different name would fit better. Like maybe “Waiting for the Tide’s Return”?
There is a comment section below. Margaret and I would love to hear how John O’Donohue’s words and how this reflection in response may have affected you. Are there certain images or ideas that have resonated with you? May you indeed experience the blessing of “a new respect for your heart and the joy that dwells far within slow time.”
Thank you Ramona and Margaret. “Become inclined to watch the way of rain” is the turning point in
this poem, promising an awareness of change and persevering through slow time towards the light.
Ella
Thank you, Ella, for your comment. We certainly have the rain here to watch.
Thank you Ramona for sending this lovely poem. I always appreciate what you share.
Always a reminder of what’s truly important!
Thank you, Michelle. I found myself wanting to call the blessing a poem, which it is. A poetic blessing that eases its way under troubles and fear. Thanks for reading and sharing.
Thank you very much for sharing this poem.
You are most welcome.
Ramona, thank you for this. I am someone who moves too much/quickly and carries too much weight. I am more inclined to take off my cloak in response to sunshine rather than fierce wind. Much appreciated.
You’re welcome, and thank you, David.
Mom,
A very intriguing poem to listen to and read. O’Donohue’s words are well crafted to bring powerful imagery through calm and relaxing language. “Weariness invades your spirit. Gravity begins falling inside you,… The tide you never valued has gone out.”
Paul Grignon’s image pairs perfectly for this post. It has been enjoyable to take pause and read these words.
I really like the gravity and tide imagery too. Yes, calm and relaxing language. Thanks for your comment, Dan.