Gateway to the Circle of Love

Today we explored the site of the Last Supper, King David's Tomb and the location where Jesus was imprisoned before his trial and crucifixion.  These places are movable.  What?  According to archeologists and historians, over the hundreds of years these places were not where they are today.  Many different wars, discoveries and scientific verifications have placed the room of the Last Supper in several locations, the same with King David's tomb and where Jesus was imprisoned.  And it is likely over time these places will "move" again.

For me it's not important that I am standing in the room, or the cell or the tomb.  What moves me is the remembrance and presence with which I open my heart to the meanings of these places, wherever they are today.

During the Last Supper, Jesus was not just sharing a meal he was sharing nourishment. The nourishment of  that which is universal - that we all share - love, companionship, sacredness, connection, reverence, liberation, healing, respect, trust and truth.  This Soul Food - bread for our body and wine for our heart, connects body and soul and in both the Christian and Jewish traditions, and provides an opportunity to connect with that which is universal.

Connecting to the universal message in the teachings of these places, in the stories and events that birthed from here I am attending to what is "sparked in my chest."  Sufi's invite us to be conscious of God.  If I am conscious of God then I am present.  Divine qualities are only able to flow in the present moment.  In being conscious of the Divine I/we are released from that which is conditioned in us - fear, judgement, expectation, agenda, ego.

In this presence and consciousness of God, I listen.  What do I hear?  A Sufi story talks of a man longing for connection with God, Allah, and he prayed constantly, daily - and then was asked "Do you ever get an answer?"  Upon considering this question, he stopped praying because he did not believe he was getting an answer from Allah.  A Sufi spirit prophet came to him and asked why he had stopped praying. Upon hearing the man's answer the spirit prophet explained that our anguished inner longing for connection with God is God's reply to us - it is our connection to God.

I seek this connection, this authentic community of life.  I seek what Rumi calls the Circle of Love.  The gateway to this Circle of Love is communion with others who we give and receive Love (unconditionally); who we can trust and be vulnerable with; and who loves and seeks truth (in whatever manifestation it comes).

How can I offer, receive, cultivate and recognize the Circle of Love when it is present?  How can I connect to God/Divine and live within this Circle of love.  The good news is that this is a compassionate lifelong awareness that requires spiritual practices.  The good news is that we human's were made to be asleep a good part of the time, so that might awaken to this beauty.  And in this awakening we find joy in remembering, again!!

May we all continue to long for connection to the Divine in whatever form, by whatever name so that we might awaken once again to and with compassion, love, trust and truth, within the Circle of Love.

"God is Great"

going into the women's side of King David's Tomb

Inside Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu - above where Jesus was imprisoned

where Jesus was imprisoned

City of David

Shalom, Salam, Peace

Jerusalem, 2:00 pm

Overwhelmed by the reality of being here, tears streamed down my cheeks as I took in my first glimpse of the Old City of Jerusalem, Y'rusha'lim, El Qdt (The Holy).  Amongst the din of tourists, buses and vendors I was overcome by the energy of history and sacredness in this place.  The oldest continuous Jewish cemetery is at the Mount of Olives, just below were I am standing.

Rabbi Ted, Pastor Don and Sheikh Jamal offered teachings of opening to the spirit of this place with our hearts, opening to the diversity of the history and meanings and of the how all of us struggle with separateness and oneness here.  The details of these wise teachers was heard my by heart, not by my pen, so I can't offer more here.  I chose to let my ears and heart listen and my breath was taking in all and offering my joy and gratitude to all of us and all of you.  I can feel you all here and feel the prayers.  We were also told by our organizer, Liz that 7,000 spiritual directors from Spiritual Directors International are praying for us on this journey - more tears came as the gravity of that presence was felt.

Then we walked down the road.  A road that Jesus and millions others have walked for thousands of years, to the Garden of Gethsemane.  A small dry garden with an abundance of olive trees, dusty ground and prayers.  Several groups where holding services in this holy place.  We gathered in the corner to again receive teaching from our guides.  Sheihk Jamal talked about the teaching of the trees.  Sufi teachers invite us to learn humility from them as they fill with fruit the bow to us in offering.  We can learn about diversity from trees - the branches will move differently in the wind, but are all connected at to roots.  We were reminded of Jesus' struggle in this garden and the humanness we are when trying to stay awake to wisdom.  After sharing our intentions for this journey with fellow pilgrims we heard the call to prayer.  The Mosques were calling to all of us to remember to praise God and honor one another.

I was simply being, praying, listening, learning, tearing and offering myself with gratitude.  We closed our time in the garden with chanting Peace in Hebrew, Arabic and English.
Shalom, Salam, Peace....Shalom, Salam, Peace....Shalom, Salam, Peace

I really felt our presence and prayers, the presence and prayers of others there, and our chanting the words "Peace" will make a difference - may it be so!!

All the Same Color?

Jerusalem - 9:00pm

"We are entering Israeli air space. Everyone must stay in their seats until we land." The French accented voice announced over the intercom as we approached Tel Aviv.  Curious? Stay in our seats in Israeli air space?  How would Israel know if I didn't?

It felt like an extremely long approach and not just because I was anxious to arrive.  It felt like we were never going to descend below the clouds.  What did that mean?  Was I letting expectations come in?  Were the clouds to remind me to know that all is not clear and to wait for clarity?  I was getting an energetic sense that we were very near Israel, but I couldn't see any land.  Then I realized that I couldn't see land because we were over water.  Hmmm.... water not land.....flowing not ground....

We approached Israel, not from land but from the Mediterranean.  Then I saw the coast of Israel and my breath stopped for a minute.  "Wow!" was all I could say in my sleep deprived stupor.  I was really here!!

As we flew over the land I searched the landscape for anything that would "look" like Israel, or Tel Aviv.  Then I noticed that every building, every high rise, every low rise and every building under construction was the same color - light sand stone. Various shapes of buildings, different clusters of buildings in circles and geometrics, but all the same color.  In a land where resides the shapes, colors and beliefs of three of the world's major faiths, as well as so many other international people and ideas, I find it especially curious that all the buildings are the same color.  Building codes I have been told, but I will find out more.   

Can we present a certain belief, ideology or opinion outwardly when underneath that ideology or belief is more complicated, undeveloped and unclear?  Is it incongruent, lacking integrity or is it human?  Is it what we do to work out our beliefs - presenting them, being and receiving the mirror of others' responses, then refining as we go?