The title to this post is more “religious” sounding than my usual writing. Yet this phrase came to me up at the cabin this last weekend and it has persistently stayed with me. So I, in turn, have persistently stayed with it! I meditated and asked this phrase to reveal to me its message. And the message came in the form of a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. So I will share it with you as it came to me.
Lord of glory
You have clothed me in divine raiment
I am magnified in your loving mercy
You have stretched forth your hand
And I take it gladly
Leaving all else behind
I walk into your embrace
Shedding all density
I am robed in your splendor
I am yours now and forever
Blessed in bounty
Loved into eternity
As I contemplated this message, I realized that indeed, the last two years have been intense years of shedding, letting go of everything I held onto – beliefs, illusions, hopes, expectations, fears, identities. The world is different to me now, and I am different in it. Everything is ordinary and extraordinary at the same time. Mundane and magical. Every day is an adventure, every moment is a gift, every breath a liberation.
This is, I think, the meaning of living in grace, living in alignment with the energy of the universe, entering the realm of oneness with all creation. It is, as Buddha said, the power of being awake.
I wish I could tell you that I experience this all the time. I don’t. But I do more and more. And when I do, I’m aware that indeed, like the lilies of the field, I am clothed in the divine raiment of life. And I am grateful.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made. ~Psalm 139:14
Galen, it seems so much is gained whenever we let go. Thank you for sharing this inspired message.
ReplyDeleteYes, this seems to be the lesson life is teaching me repeatedly these days! Thanks for commenting, Pam.
Delete'clothed in the divine raiment of life' I love that statement, Galen.
ReplyDeleteYou said so much here in this post. I read it intently for a long time.
You mentioned 'the last two years have been intense years of shedding, letting go of everything I held onto – beliefs, illusions, hopes, expectations, fears, identities. '
Perhaps this is why you can at time experience the transcendent and also the transpersonal . Its an amazing experience. The statement 'shedding all density' made me think about the release of the soul from the mind/body.
I also like this 'The world is different to me now, and I am different in it. Everything is ordinary and extraordinary at the same time. Mundane and magical. Every day is an adventure, every moment is a gift, every breath a liberation.
This is amazing ..to be able to experience this state of being even for moments at a time is enough to make life meaningful.
'...the meaning of living in grace, living in alignment with the energy of the universe, entering the realm of oneness with all creation. It is, as Buddha said, the power of being awake.'
That is a good definition of grace. I have been using this word to describe what I experience as well, lately. As humans we are living on the border of order and chaos, at all times, and its grace that keeps us on that thin balance line.
There is so much more I could comment on but , I have said enough. Good thoughts and revelations Galen.
Thank you, Brian, for sharing your reflections. I always enjoy and appreciate your thoughtful comments.
DeleteI'm so grateful that this phrase came to you, Galen, and that you refused to let it go, embracing it instead. Your poem says it all! We are divinely clothed in God's eternal love, and each moment is a cause for celebration.
ReplyDeleteBlessings!
Thanks, Martha. I am not sure if I refused to let it go, or if it refused to let me go! Either way, it stuck with me. Sometimes I'm surprised at the things that come to me this way. But there is always something important for me to see or understand, so I have learned to accept with grateful curiosity what comes my way.
DeleteI love everything about this post, Galen. I too have had phrases that stay with me for awhile, but your poem is exquisite and makes me wish I could do something similar. You have given me something to strive towards. As I get closer to another birthday, I am thinking of shedding more of what surrounds me. I am so lucky to have a partner who sometimes goes through our closets to get rid of no-longer-used clothing. Thank you for the inspiration. :-)
ReplyDeleteIt's funny, isn't it, how something will come to us that way and just hang around in our awareness. Glad you liked the prayer/poem. And I'm sure you could do something similar. Have you ever tried writing with your non-dominant hand? Things are revealed that might surprise you!
DeleteDo you loan your partner out for closet purging??
Galen, your words are inspirational to me. So often I copy them to go back to and share with my sister-friend. "...living in alignment with the energy of the universe, entering the realm of oneness with all creation..." translates into my definition of "flow," my word for 2019. It has appeared frequently in the last month. It's taken most of 2019 to find flow. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteSister-friend, what a nice term. I'm pleased that my posts give you something meaningful, and something to share. "Flow" is a great word. I used to have a word of the year, and it was a great practice. Flow is interesting because it can be a noun or a verb. And if you have found it, then that is wonderful. Thanks for commenting, Mona.
DeleteMy dear friend, I do love your thoughts on this one. They are profound, inspiring and uplifting. I loved your grateful heart on this one.
ReplyDeleteWhen we see and experience this kind of spiritual awakening and feelings of gratitude to our Heavenly Father; I feel truly placed. I do believe in being one with my creator and His Son, Jesus Christ. The spirit tells me often that I am indeed a daughter of God. I know you are too; all of us on this earth today are His.
Have a Blessed and sweet Thanksgiving with your family and friends.
Sending loving thoughts and hugs your way!
PS I haven't blogged for a long time and I'm still trying to figure out what I am doing on this one. However, I do like to see how my blogging friends are doing. You are an important one.
Hi LeAnn. Nice to hear from you. I have wondered how you are. Well, I hope. I also wish you and your family a Happy Thanksgiving.
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