In the last few days I have been contemplating a spiritual practice to follow until 2020 bows its head and passes the baton unto 2021.
What might I do daily to connect even deeper to God, Spirit, Universe, Self, the Whole, the Heart?–(whatever names you might use to describe what’s greater than our human ego and rational mind.)
I believe something shines within and without us beyond our petty concerns, our everyday fears and worries, our strivings, our sadness and grief.
Ever since I was a child and prayed to God to find our runaway dog, Chopper (and yes, dear reader, it happened!) , it feels like this life has been dedicated to connecting and embodying this greater love.
In recent years have caught glimpses of a beautiful Oneness that binds us together and awes the heart, but have also traveled deep within to feel repressed pain and emotion in an attempt to bring it to the light of that shining Presence.
Sometimes, especially in this 2020 year, it feels like I am failing in this desire. (Even though the Heart chimes in to say: You are not failing, dear one, you are certainly not failing.)
The unconsciousness of our small self–and the planet–feels overwhelming. Does it sometimes feel that way to you, as well?
I have decided to spend the remaining almost-eleven weeks of this year leaning back into prayer and affirmation. Will try to daily turn toward the Holy and consciously explore an aspect of opening to inspiration and dedication to this larger aspect of ourselves. Will deeply listen and write what arises.
The name of this seventy-five day exploration is: What the Heart Knows.
I may be posting these musings here every day. I know some of you won’t be interested in spiritual ponderings–but you were forewarned. The name of this blog isn’t Lake Superior Spirit for nothin’. If I don’t post every day, will still try to share many of my spiritual explorations with you during the next almost-eleven weeks. You may join along in this commitment if you choose, spending focused time deepening and exploring your relationship with what’s larger than your smaller human heart.
If this inspires any of you, how wonderful. Thank you for journeying along with me as we turn toward the dark of the year, the Advent season, a traditional time of exploration and rededication to connecting with and following Holy will.
The first prayer/affirmation that is rising up from the heart at this moment: Bless us, oh Holy Heart. Use this time to strengthen our relationship to the light and love that surrounds us. My most sincere desire is to continue to open to You. Show me how to share your love more fully in the upcoming weeks and months and years.
Lake Superior Spirit 
Kathy, I believe this is a worthy journey to take. The journey that emanate’s from your heart, holding space, sacred space to experience the next two months as fully conscious as possible.
I know this experience will be one you don’t take lightly, so I am honored that you wish to share your path with all of us…
Jeff, thank you. It feels like a calling right now. It also feels like I don’t know what Spirit wants me to share. How vulnerable to get. How to do this. I am letting all the thoughts come up while continually handing this journey back over to the Heart. Thank you so much for these words of support. xoxo
Yes, it sometimes feels that way to me, too.
So interesting that we are in sync again, my friend. I was out singing to the trees today, and their recommendation (which was likely the heart’s recommendation and not really the trees, but who knows and does it even matter?) was something similar to this, to spend some time listening for the Self rather than getting wrapped up in the self. I’ve been working with some “back of the heart” exercises/breathing that has me fascinated. It feels expansive. A heartfulness. Yes, I will join you. That is a beautiful prayer/affirmation. ❤
Robin, I am not surprised we are in sync yet again. How many times has this happened over the years? I am glad the trees spoke to/with your Heart and suggested a very similar path (maybe even the same path). The breathing exercises do sound wonderful. Thank you for joining me. xoxo
Thank you for doing this. The depth of your commitment and desire to do this has already calmed this one’s spirit today. Your first prayer/affirmation is beautiful, and holy. Joining you in spirit if not in writing. Many blessings on this sacred journey. 💖
Susan Dee, your support is always a beautiful balm for this spirit (thanks for your Messenger words yesterday…) I know you will be joining me in spirit because you already are with me on this journey. Have no idea where all this is leading. Just trying to surrender to what the Holy wants to say/do/be. xoxo
I like your project and I especially like your theme. Focusing on your heart seems wise and timely. I look forward to reading what arises from within you as you set your intentions with an open heart.
Ally Bean, we talked the other day what a daily commitment might look like during these days when *not a lot is happening in our external worlds*. Was surprised how this theme feels like a calling–although I am also scared because I have no idea what it will look like day to day. xoxo
Kathy, I believe this will be a blessing to you and all of us as well. What a beautiful idea and much needed I think in these troubled times. I will join you in focusing more on His will in my life, now, in what remains in 2020. I look forward to reading what you discover along this journey as well as the prospect of what I learn to. It’s always a wise thing to look to our higher power, to seek and listen. Be still and know. God bless!
Gay, thank you! It just feels like I am being called to do this right now. Such challenging times–and to keep turning toward what God wants us to do, instead of our ego’s will, seems like the most important focus we can do. But have felt a lot of fear come up since commiting to this, so it will be interesting moving through this fear and see what’s being revealed. xoxo and God bless you, too!
OH! T TYT YTYTYTYTYTYTy lots of the thank yous!
Oh my goodness! You are so welcome! But Elisa I have nooooo idea how to do this. Learning moment by moment. The sun is coming up and illuminating the orange leaves on the trees outside the window. Thank you, Holy Heart. xoxoxo
Looking forward to reading and hearing about it 💗
Me too, Larissa, lol! Thinking about what Jeannie has said about our Holy callings…it feels like jumping into the unknown and trusting a safety net will be here. xoxo
Your spiritual journey may be just what is needed to changed this year into “goodness” – for you, and those who join you. ❤
Wow–what a thought, Joanne. That is truly an amazing insight. To turn 2020 toward the good heart. For all of us who choose to turn inward and see what really matters once again. xoxo
My mother told me that something good always comes out of every situation. ❤
It’s interesting the variety of paths we take as we move along on our spiritual journeys. Becoming more aware of “What the Heart Knows” sounds like a very hopeful and focused way to navigate the rest of this overwhelming year. For some reason my heart led me this year to celebrate, in my own way, the eight festivals of the turning wheel of the year. I’ve been reading about Druids and how they honored the seasons, trees, and ancestors. Right now it’s helping me feel more connected to Spirit, and the great mystery surrounding us. And I look forward to my weekly virtual “Tea with a Druid” session on Facebook. Looking forward to reading your musings, Kathy.
Barbara, I too find these journeys of the Heart to be very fascinating. I love that you have been called to the eight festivals of the turning wheel of the year. Anything that connects our Heart with the holy can be such a valuable gift to keeping our spirits open and connected to the Universe beyond our ego-selves. So not sure what this is going to look like (blogging about, that is) but I am listening so deeply in an attempt to surrender to What the Heart Knows. xoxo
I can relate to your wishes.
Sherry, this commitment to a deeper journey toward God or the Heart feels right now. A friend suggested this focus could actually help balance the challenges of 2020. xoxo
I do try to spend some time each day in such practices. I can also relate to the thought – I am failing – to live up to the better angels of my soul’s preference. I do believe that collectively keeping the mind focused on such things is a worthy effort. And I just remembered that yesterday, I failed to get my weekly dose of positivity from Agape. Maybe I’ll catch up this afternoon from their archive. The positive and empowering shift in focus has kept me sane by incremental doses each week.
Deb, I wonder why we sometimes get caught in that feeling that we are failing? Perhaps what we’re sensing is that it’s just time to renew our focus at such times. We’re not failing, we’re just being called to renewal. Hope you’ll find some space to listen to Agape. I know it inspires your spirit so much.
Since you’re sharing your spiritual musings, I hope you don’t mind me commenting with a musing of my own here. Every morning I make time to escape into those moments of connection. Depending on how much I have going on that day, they can vary anywhere from 10 minutes to 45 minutes.
What has brought me peace from times outside of those still/silent morning practices is the acceptance of the duality experience. The acceptance that connection to Oneness is not sustainable throughout daily life. Well, maybe if I was a monk, but only, maybe.
Knowing that Oneness is the real Truth is enough. For some reason, this little Lori personality has incarnated into the material plain to live the illusion of duality. Chronic pain and all, I’m going with the flow until the Infinite calls me home. If this even makes sense.
Enjoy those moments of connection, and I look forward to your musings.
I love hearing about your morning practice, Lori. Also that you have discovered peace by accepting the duality experience, our humanity. I found that so hard to do for so many years. Spent way too many years beating myself up for being human. Now it’s seen more clearly (sometimes) that it’s a dance between the human and the Oneness. Like you, have seen the peace that can bring.
This is a beautiful way to turn the tide of 2020, at least for the wholeness of your heart – and those who journey with you. Bravo! XOXO
Stacy, thank you for your enthusiasm! A loved one–who shall remain unmentioned—errr—said “You are going to lose all your readers by just writing about spirituality for all those days. Within five minutes a friend wrote to say “You are going to gain so many readers by doing this.” I had to laugh, truly. For once I am not worried about who is reading or who is not. God can supply the readers or lack thereof. I am trying to stay close to the Heart.
Have you ever heard of the program rock band Rush? They have been my favorite since I was 15. Listen to their song Closer to the Heart, if you have a moment.
Listening right now…
That should have said prog rock. But the computer didn’t understand.
It’s a great time to turn inwards and explore your spiritual journey Kathy.
It does seem like the perfect time for it, Andrea. How nice that you are reading some of these “older” posts (ha ha, a week old!)
Yes, I’m always trying to catch up 🙂
I loved this blog post, Kathy. It’s beautiful that you have embarked on this spiritual practice, and that you are willing to share your musings with us like this. Blessings on you!
Reggie, thank you for the support! It has been a wild ride doing this practice already…although it does seem like most spiritual practices end up being wild rides. I do love your enthusiasm, it cheers me on to keeping turning back to the Holy and write about it.
As you focus inward, and share your insights and connection to spirit with us, I’m sure you will find that kindred spirits will gravitate towards you and your home-on-the-web. Much love!
Oh, yes, indeed–and many of my readers have always been spiritual souls–and kindred spirits–so it’s been quite nice. ❤