"I live my life in widening circles that
reach out across the world. I may not complete this last one but I give myself
to it. "
— Rainer Maria Rilke

Note: This reflection is my response to an
audio podcast by Tara Brach called, “Bodhisattya Path-Widening Circles of
Compassion”, which can be listened to @ tarabrach.com

When fatigued, it is easy to feel cut off
from the well spring of one’s heart center. It can be hard to write in a way
that will be helpful, meaningful or inspiring to others. Yet, comforting to me
are these words by Tara Brach,

"Even when our hearts are shut down we still care about caring. Even when we are cut off,  there is something about it that matters, and even if it is in an abstract way. In our deepest nature we want to help in that way."

"The places where we are seen and heard are holy places. When we offer some space for another  to know their belonging they can come home to who they are."

 I
know of a deeper truth that underlies and holds together the universe of our
lives. The Journal of Sacred Work has been one such place for me, a Holy space
where we can pause and speak each other’s name aloud. In recognition, we affirm
the Divine goodness that we have come to see and know in one another.

Yet, how quickly we can contract into a smaller
sense of ourselves and forget our connectedness. Brach describes a deep
conditioning that tells us we are separate and a primal fear that we are somehow
cut off from each other. It is so much easier to operate out of our dividedness
than to be vulnerable. When we quiet the minds endless prattle we can touch upon
life’s fluid nature with compassion.  (Brach, 2013).

Brach suggests that we hold the sincere intention that whatever
arises in this life, "may it serve to awaken this heart and mind. We awaken to
our failures, disease, loss, fear, or our difficulties with loved ones." When we are dedicated to being present there is a sense of loss and beneath that is love's essence as we allow ourselves to be touched by life’s poignancy (Brach, 2013).

Where ever you may be, may your experience serve
to awaken your heart, mind and spirit.

Contributed by ~liz Sorensen Wessel

Mandala by ~liz