I’ve just begun an 8 wk online course on St. Teresa of Avila. The study includes her autobiography and writings of contemplative prayer (Interior Castle). The study is offered by the Center for Action and Contemplation (cac.org).
Down the road (if life and Spirit provide) I will share more of Teresa’s writings on contemplative prayer but for the moment, I would like to share a recent thought provoking insight offered by one of my online classmates. It is in the form of a text thread.
Our facilitator began the class dialogue, this way:
This course and the discussion questions are about you and your sacred companions on this path. This sharing supports your fellow travelers on their journey. And when you read and respond to another’s post, you are, in effect, honoring another’s particularity and gleaning from their experiences, reflections, and wisdom. It is a privilege to be in this sacred space together. Please share:
- What attracted you to this course on the Interior Castle?
- What would be helpful for those journeying through this course with you to know about you?
Following is my response and the resulting dialogue from my classmates
(Me:) In my readings, I have encountered references of Teresa and John of the Cross which have piqued my curiosity. So I am exploring and keeping my spirit moving.
(Jane) I like that phrase “exploring and keeping my spirit moving”
(Me) This morning I was able to recall a short dream where I was with another person and trying to operate the sound bowl James Finley used in the prayer videos. I was unable to effect the harmonious tones.
In my dream, during my “unsuccesful” attempts of effecting the beautiful sounds for my friend, I was recalling my visual memory of how and what I had seen on the video. Kind of like a dream within a dream.
(Susan) What a beautiful dream! I wonder who your friend was and what he/she signifies to you? Perhaps at the end of the course, or in due course, you will know deep inside (dream or otherwise) that you can effect those harmonious tones both for yourself and for others.
(Paul) A few years back I wrote a short story about what Catholics call Purgatory. It was about a young man who ended up, inside the Pearly Gates, in his “own room”. He was a guitarist and guess what Jesus handed him to play? A gorgeous acoustic guitar which Jesus played an E chord on; the sound was out of this world, excuse the pun. But when Dave tried to play the same E chord a few seconds later… it was out of tune! He reached for the tuning screws to tune it… and there weren’t any! After a while he began to realize the guitar was him! (finish story later, if you like). Sorry, have to rush off.
(Me) Paul, This may surprise you. Just last week, I shared some of my inner reflections with a couple of friends in that it feels like my life is in limbo (for reasons I may share later).. So yes, I would like to hear the entire story. By the way, I am also a guitarist.
(Paul) Okay, here’s the rest of the story, …although rather truncated.
Dave has had one almighty fight with his brother, Steve (over a girl friend) and that’s why the two brothers end up dead. And before Jesus. Steve comes into Dave’s “room” and Jesus leaves them to sort out the enmity that had been building for some years (and his dad arrives too, since Dave hasn’t spoken to him for close on 15 years). The conversation is difficult, painfully so, but as the three let go of the anger and hurt and really listen to each other, Dave finds his guitar slowly comes into tune. And when they finally reconcile (a very painful experience, but liberating) what better thing to do than play a number together. Which they do!
This is how, in very limited terms, I imagine what we call The Judgement. Not so much a one on one with God as He reveals the shadows we have denied but more as the Need to do whatever it takes, there and then, to reconcile with each other. And apologize to all we have really hurt and forgive those who may have caused us or others enormous pain. Jesus then becomes the Peace between us.
(Me) All I can say is Wow! (end of thread)
ps. I do not know about purgatory, but if there is – Paul’s story hits the chord for me.
Is there someone who needs your forgiveness?
Feel free to share your thoughts – using the comments.
