Ah I have felt this pivot in my bones! Writers as “brand” is such a hard thing to navigate sometimes! Best wishes as you shift and see where the shift takes you - I’m excited to read whenever it goes!
Dear Brittany, Thank you for writing this article for ME! Wow! I love how God works. You wrote my thoughts and feelings so perfectly.... I am a mother of 3, but my daughters are all in their mid 30s. I've spent most of my vocational life in holistic health care and energy therapy, where I was a leader for more than 15 years. The last five years my focus has been on Sacred Geometry and Energy Therapy (www.BoulderHealingTouch.com)... I've been reading Tomberg's Meditations for 25 years plus lots of Anthroposophy. What you described is something I've been aware of but haven't been able to put into words. I am also Catholic and am in Year 3 of a 4 year Biblical Studies program at the Denver Seminary. I LOVE the mysticism of Catholicism and am able to separate through the chaff and grain, the corruption and the TRUTH BEAUTY and GOODNESS of the Church. I've been to the Holy Land twice and other sacred sites. My primary interest is GOD and mysticism, though I don't have mystical experiences (like you!). I do feel my connection to Christ, The Blessed Mother, my Guardian Angel and some saints, but in an indirect way (which causes me to question it at times). I do have faith and desire to be someone who brings others to God and faith. I just found out about you six months ago and ordered your book and serendipitously found your email substance this morning. I feel we are soul sisters... I love how you gave examples of finding your connection to God through your baby, through the "interruptions" and inconveniences of life and through bodily sensations. Thank you for putting into words for me a clarity of my vocational "pivot", which gives me hope, optimism, courage and inspiration! I would love to have a conversation if you are willing. 720.314.6033.
I am glad you’re back! I always enjoy your reflections. I, too, have been fascinated by mysticism for as long as I can remember. Your closing comment about feeling “something” reminded me of this quote:
“Everything is a gift. The degree to which we are awake to this truth is a measure of our gratefullness, and gratefullness is a measure of our aliveness…. Sometimes people get the mistaken notion that spirituality is a separate department of life, the penthouse of our existence. But rightly understood, it is a vital awareness that pervades all realms of our being. Someone will say, 'I come alive when I listen to music,' or 'I come to life when I garden,' or 'I come alive when I play golf.' Wherever we come alive, that is the area in which we are spiritual. And then we can say, 'I know at least how one is spiritual in that area.' To be vital, awake, aware, in all areas of our lives, is the task that is never accomplished, but it remains the goal.” -Brother David Steindl-Rast
Welcome back Brittany! I am excited to see you channelling your desire for God in an evolutionary pattern of discernment, moving closer to the real mentally and less tangibly. Look into the practice of Japa (mantra), or mental prayer as referred to by Christian mystics. Different takes can be found and practices. In the East, they use the Jesus prayer as a mantra, and have a rich tradition of developing the practice into praying at all times with the breath. A good intro book and author on this practice is "Into the Silent Land" by Laird. "Difficulties in Mental Prayer" is a more advanced work by Boylan as well.
Welcome back, and thank you for your honest thoughts! I love the way you describe that the weight of your interest is in God, not the tarot. I feel similarly. You are a very gifted writer and I, for one, will read any reflections you choose to share here, tarot-related or no! It's your voice I'm interested in, not the subject matter. Blessings to you as you pivot into something new! 🌿
Well, if I’m thrilled you want to write more about the experiential nature of God in your life and in the world. After spending the first week of Eastertide with the Trappist monks of Mepkin Abbey I am grateful to be more attuned to divine beauty in creation, the power of small gestures and wisdom gleaned from attentiveness. I look forward to reading your contemplative commentaries! - Arianne
"inconvenience as a spiritual practice" really resonated with me today - how to perceive the invitation in each moment, instead of expecting the experience of the divine to conform to my convenience and expectations. I've been getting a lot out of the Examen recently and your beautiful examples at the end reminded me of the way this practice helps me orient to what is truly good in my life. Thank you!
I'm reading and LOVING your Contemplative Tarot, it's the book I wish I'd written :) The Bible verses you give each card, the reflection questions, they have enriched my journalling and prayer time no end - thank you SO much! It's lovely to find you here on Substack, but as a mama with adult children (now 27 and 25), I hope you'll treasure each moment with your wee ones, they are so fleeting... As we prepare for our daughter's wedding in July, I find myself remembering those precious times (she too would touch hands while nursing, while our son would play with my hair and then his own). Reading your words here, I was instantly reliving those moments, so thank you :)
'things I’m always thinking about: how to orient my body towards God, the physicality of faith, praying without ceasing, inconvenience as a spiritual practice, anything that fights against gnosticism, the whole world as a manifestation of the glory of God, etc."
Whoa. And yes. And thank you for putting words to things I've *felt* but couldn't quite access. You might be interested in this gathering of mother/writers: https://www.floweringbodies.com/
So great to hear from you! I always when I see your name in my inbox. And, it's always so encouraging to see another mother and writer move with the seasons of her life instead of against them. Women are creatures of cycle, not constant outward production, and it's very comforting to see you honoring and respecting that and appreciating it as you live within your family.
Toward the point of your post, are you familiar with the Carmina Gadelica? A collection of old prayers, incantations, and songs, it gives a window into the ancient Celtic Christian tradition, specifically how the peoples there acknowledged God constantly (and intimately) in their everyday lives. It seems right up your alley with what you shared today.
Ah I have felt this pivot in my bones! Writers as “brand” is such a hard thing to navigate sometimes! Best wishes as you shift and see where the shift takes you - I’m excited to read whenever it goes!
Dear Brittany, Thank you for writing this article for ME! Wow! I love how God works. You wrote my thoughts and feelings so perfectly.... I am a mother of 3, but my daughters are all in their mid 30s. I've spent most of my vocational life in holistic health care and energy therapy, where I was a leader for more than 15 years. The last five years my focus has been on Sacred Geometry and Energy Therapy (www.BoulderHealingTouch.com)... I've been reading Tomberg's Meditations for 25 years plus lots of Anthroposophy. What you described is something I've been aware of but haven't been able to put into words. I am also Catholic and am in Year 3 of a 4 year Biblical Studies program at the Denver Seminary. I LOVE the mysticism of Catholicism and am able to separate through the chaff and grain, the corruption and the TRUTH BEAUTY and GOODNESS of the Church. I've been to the Holy Land twice and other sacred sites. My primary interest is GOD and mysticism, though I don't have mystical experiences (like you!). I do feel my connection to Christ, The Blessed Mother, my Guardian Angel and some saints, but in an indirect way (which causes me to question it at times). I do have faith and desire to be someone who brings others to God and faith. I just found out about you six months ago and ordered your book and serendipitously found your email substance this morning. I feel we are soul sisters... I love how you gave examples of finding your connection to God through your baby, through the "interruptions" and inconveniences of life and through bodily sensations. Thank you for putting into words for me a clarity of my vocational "pivot", which gives me hope, optimism, courage and inspiration! I would love to have a conversation if you are willing. 720.314.6033.
I am glad you’re back! I always enjoy your reflections. I, too, have been fascinated by mysticism for as long as I can remember. Your closing comment about feeling “something” reminded me of this quote:
“Everything is a gift. The degree to which we are awake to this truth is a measure of our gratefullness, and gratefullness is a measure of our aliveness…. Sometimes people get the mistaken notion that spirituality is a separate department of life, the penthouse of our existence. But rightly understood, it is a vital awareness that pervades all realms of our being. Someone will say, 'I come alive when I listen to music,' or 'I come to life when I garden,' or 'I come alive when I play golf.' Wherever we come alive, that is the area in which we are spiritual. And then we can say, 'I know at least how one is spiritual in that area.' To be vital, awake, aware, in all areas of our lives, is the task that is never accomplished, but it remains the goal.” -Brother David Steindl-Rast
Blessings to you!
Welcome back Brittany! I am excited to see you channelling your desire for God in an evolutionary pattern of discernment, moving closer to the real mentally and less tangibly. Look into the practice of Japa (mantra), or mental prayer as referred to by Christian mystics. Different takes can be found and practices. In the East, they use the Jesus prayer as a mantra, and have a rich tradition of developing the practice into praying at all times with the breath. A good intro book and author on this practice is "Into the Silent Land" by Laird. "Difficulties in Mental Prayer" is a more advanced work by Boylan as well.
Welcome back, and thank you for your honest thoughts! I love the way you describe that the weight of your interest is in God, not the tarot. I feel similarly. You are a very gifted writer and I, for one, will read any reflections you choose to share here, tarot-related or no! It's your voice I'm interested in, not the subject matter. Blessings to you as you pivot into something new! 🌿
Well, if I’m thrilled you want to write more about the experiential nature of God in your life and in the world. After spending the first week of Eastertide with the Trappist monks of Mepkin Abbey I am grateful to be more attuned to divine beauty in creation, the power of small gestures and wisdom gleaned from attentiveness. I look forward to reading your contemplative commentaries! - Arianne
"inconvenience as a spiritual practice" really resonated with me today - how to perceive the invitation in each moment, instead of expecting the experience of the divine to conform to my convenience and expectations. I've been getting a lot out of the Examen recently and your beautiful examples at the end reminded me of the way this practice helps me orient to what is truly good in my life. Thank you!
I'm reading and LOVING your Contemplative Tarot, it's the book I wish I'd written :) The Bible verses you give each card, the reflection questions, they have enriched my journalling and prayer time no end - thank you SO much! It's lovely to find you here on Substack, but as a mama with adult children (now 27 and 25), I hope you'll treasure each moment with your wee ones, they are so fleeting... As we prepare for our daughter's wedding in July, I find myself remembering those precious times (she too would touch hands while nursing, while our son would play with my hair and then his own). Reading your words here, I was instantly reliving those moments, so thank you :)
'things I’m always thinking about: how to orient my body towards God, the physicality of faith, praying without ceasing, inconvenience as a spiritual practice, anything that fights against gnosticism, the whole world as a manifestation of the glory of God, etc."
Whoa. And yes. And thank you for putting words to things I've *felt* but couldn't quite access. You might be interested in this gathering of mother/writers: https://www.floweringbodies.com/
So great to hear from you! I always when I see your name in my inbox. And, it's always so encouraging to see another mother and writer move with the seasons of her life instead of against them. Women are creatures of cycle, not constant outward production, and it's very comforting to see you honoring and respecting that and appreciating it as you live within your family.
Toward the point of your post, are you familiar with the Carmina Gadelica? A collection of old prayers, incantations, and songs, it gives a window into the ancient Celtic Christian tradition, specifically how the peoples there acknowledged God constantly (and intimately) in their everyday lives. It seems right up your alley with what you shared today.