Divine – womanspiritspeaks

Who is the Divine?

Just by being present, we become that small sense of Presence for those in despair.

July 2, 2023

Tagged compassion, Divine, love, Presence

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In the past couple of months, I have attended several funerals. Some were for folks who lived good long lives, and who contributed greatly to the good of their communities. Some were for good people whose lives, in our estimation, were cut short. No matter what the situation, family and friends were left in deep grief, in one of those situations where no relief from the pain is in sight. For those who are suffering, it is sometimes easy to feel that there is no Divine, no greater energy or force, and certainly nothing that can ease their pain.

Last week I wrote about a small sense of Presence in light of our own individual suffering. This week I want to posit that we can be that small sense of Presence to those around us who are suffering and grief-stricken. When people feel abandoned by the Divine, we are the ones who can be lovingly present to their pain. We are called upon to be that small candle flame that shines a light on the possibility that hope and healing might someday be possible. In these situations we become the living Presence through our thoughts, words, and deeds.

We can do the practical things – bring meals, clean the house, hold, listen, support, hug, encourage. We can do the quiet things by sending out loving energy and prayers for healing. We can show up and hold space for whatever emotions may surface in that deep grief. While we are not the healers, we can
be instruments for healing. Ultimately, we become the hands and feet, the
physical manifestation of the Divine. Just by being present, we become that small sense of Presence for those in despair.

In the same way that we find hope in a personal small sense of Presence, we can share hope by being that Divine Presence for others.

I SEE YOU

In the deepest dark, a small flame flickers.
So small, so small – I can’t believe my eyes.
It seems so far away.

My strained eyes focus on the light.
A kind word, an embrace
The light grows brighter.

I speak, pouring out my grief and pain.
A hand grips mine.
The light grows a little more.

My tears fall, a torrent, a river,
and ocean
I am held in a silent embrace.
The light grows.

The light of the flame burns bright
now.
I feel the Sacred Presence of the Divine.
When I look upon Her face, I see you.

Barbara Garland
July, 2023

When Does the Spiritual Become Political?

Surrender: Accepting What Already Is

Surrendering then is not capitulation to something or someone outside of myself, but rather an acceptance of the divine spirit that lives within me.

Goddess Inspired

June 10, 2023

Tagged Accepting, Divine, Intuition, love, Surrender

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If you have been reading these blogs for a while, I am sure that you have noticed that I continue to struggle with the concept of surrender. What is interesting to me is that when I seem to reach a sense of understanding, there is always something more just out of my reach. I keep coming back to the puzzle, each time connecting another piece, in the hope that someday I will have a full and complete picture.

Last night, I was struggling to sleep. I kept thinking about surrender, and I kept coming back to the idea that surrendering to God/dess is not surrendering to that old man in the sky figure that most of us grew up with. It is not giving myself up to something or someone outside of myself. Surrender is truly giving myself to my own unique god-self. It is acknowledging that the divine lives within me. It is realizing that I was created as a unique being with unique abilities to make a difference in the world. Surrendering then is not capitulation to something or someone outside of myself, but rather an acceptance of the divine spirit that lives within me.

That acceptance, that surrender in this moment consists of three things – 1) trusting that I am loved and that I am lovable; 2) knowing I can trust my inner voice, my intuition to guide me; 3) opening myself to love. These three seem to be the essence of what it means to surrender to my divine self. Again, this surrender does not mean capitulation, but rather acceptance of what already exists.

I know myself pretty well. I know that I am a flawed human being. I am judgmental, opinionated, perfectionistic, selfish, and unloving. On the other hand I am also empathetic, compassionate, loving, and accepting. Trusting that I am loved in spite of my imperfections, and that I am lovable because I exist is a giant leap of faith. I go back to those childhood messages that tell me I must earn love by always doing more and doing it perfectly. It is not easy to surrender to the fact that I am loved unconditionally.

I have always had an inner voice but until the past few years, I never recognized it as my intuition. Part of surrendering to my divine self is to trust my inner voice. My intuition, the Divine inner voice, will guide me on this life’s path. My task is to trust that my intuition will lead me where I need to go.

Ultimately surrendering to my divine self requires opening myself up to love. This means that not only must I accept myself as lovable, but that I must accept the love that is offered. I must open myself to the divine love that is within me and all around me. In accepting myself, I will then be able to recognize the divine love in everyone else. I will recognize the connection between myself and all of creation.

I have often said that we are all cells of the Divine body, and our only purpose is to love. In surrendering to this divine love within myself and acknowledging the Divine love in others, I begin to fulfill my purpose of loving unconditionally.

A few years ago I wrote a prayer that began: “Holy Mother, I am yours. I invite myself to come home to myself, to come home to you. I invite the me that is you and the you that is me to join together in a joyous dance of co-creation. Holy mother I am yours.” This is my prayer of surrender to the Divine spark within me, so that I can co-create with the Holy. It is acceptance of what already exists within my deepest self, and it is my call to an authentic life.

Barbara Garland
June, 2023

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