Days 190-191 Two by Two

"The ark of peace is entered two by two." A Course in Miracles

It is easy to turn away from a stranger, the unknown other, from the faceless in a crowded sea of otherness. We may feel guarded, fearful or threatened that the other is out to do us harm or that they may want to steal what is ours.

Yet, if we meet someone and have the opportunity to look into their face, glimpse the light in their eyes and the hopefulness of their smile, perhaps shake their hand and connect on a personal level, energy shifts and our heart naturally begins to soften.

When we listen and learn about a person’s story and life experience and bear witness to their suffering, our own humanness is reflected back to us. Suddenly, we recognize them! Compassion for the person before us is compassion for ourselves. When we close the door of our heart to another we close the door on ourselves and we suffer. When our heart expands towards another to see their goodness we receive the gift of Love.

"The ark of peace is entered two by two."

Shared by Liz Sorensen Wessel
Watercolor by ~liz

Published by

swiftlyunabashed93c6d9b23b

Categories: Reflections, Holidays, Spirituality

Tags: A Course in Miracles, Erie Chapman Foundation, Journal of Sacred Work, Liz sorensen Wessel

8 responses to “Days 190-191 Two by Two”

Maureen McDermott

July 7, 2018 at 12:28 am

Your poignant painting says it all, Liz and captures the quote powerfully. May Peace surround all of us. Thank you.

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Terry Chapman

July 7, 2018 at 8:34 am

Wow! What gorgeous colorations of blue and purple and reds. When I see someone in a small boat or canoe, I yearn to join them or head out alone, carrying only a bag lunch, water,and my flyrod and trout flies.
Peacefulness eventually engulfs my spirit and the birdsong and insect humming and the occasional flyover of a heron, make any day astream satisfyingly complete. And oh yea,if a trout happens to connect itself to my offered fly, so be it. But that is icing on the cake of nature!

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erie chapman

July 7, 2018 at 9:39 am

“It is easy to turn away from a stranger, the unknown other, from the faceless in a crowded sea of otherness.” Among all the jewels you have created on this electronic sea of words and images this shines the brightest. It is the finest piece of your I have read and the finest painting of yours I have had the pleasure of drinking in.
Every single thing we try to say in the Journal is gathered together in this single writing & in your startling art.
Without even the use of a story you write plainly, poignantly and perfectly about the human condition – the difficulty of overcoming the “otherness”, how it comes easily “if we meet someone and have the opportunity to look into their face, glimpse the light in their eyes…” Yes, Love is surely easier then.
But you touch the deeper challenge. What if we DO NOT see any light? What if a caregiver approaches one who is shrouded in darkness? It is then when the lover is challenged. It then that caregivers can recall your words: “When our heart expands towards another to see their goodness and we receive the gift of Love.” That is the gift I see in your painting – that we enter the ark of peace “two by two.”
As has happened so often with your writing and mine. I sat this morning trying to conjure something to write into our unseen audience. I wanted to write something about how Trump is among those who may be more blind-hearted than evil. He is someone who seems unable to see the suffering he is causing children he has separated from their parents. They are just strangers to him – almost subhumans whose suffering is irrelevant to him. How can we help him see their humanity – “to see the light in their eyes” and thus find his? And then I read your piece.
This is a masterpiece, Liz. Congratulations and thank you.

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Ann Kaiser

July 7, 2018 at 10:32 am

I love the water color. Peaceful . It drew me in as I know you had a story for me. We must listen to others we all want to be heard. Just recently a stranger sitting by me at a concert started talking and sharing her story. At first I just wanted to listen to the concert but then I heard her “ music”. A Recent widow trying to move forward. We stepped over to a vacant spot and talked the night away. I love her compassion and zest for life through all her trying times and circumstance. Two by two. Impactful writing Luz! Beautiful painting!❤️

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~liz Wessel

July 30, 2018 at 11:30 pm

A blessing for you, Maureen
Deep peace of the running wave to you
Deep peace of the flowing air to you
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep peace of the shining stars to you
Deep peace of the Son of peace to you
Iona Community ♥

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~liz Wessel

July 30, 2018 at 11:34 pm

It is a gift to see how much you enJOY being in nature Terry and experiencing the peace that surpasses all understanding… may your spirit soar like the birds that fill your heart with song.
Thank you for your encouraging response to my art work too…

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~liz Wessel

July 30, 2018 at 11:41 pm

My apologies for not circling back sooner to THANK YOU Erie, for the most meaningful and positively beautiful response that I could ever hope to receive. I so appreciate that you understood my heart.

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~liz Wessel

July 30, 2018 at 11:45 pm

Dear Ann, thank you for taking the time to visit with us here on the JSW and for sharing a part of you with us too. I love the story that you have shared and how initially what could have been mistaken for an annoyance you opened to Love’s invitation and received a precious gift in return. Your your essence which you share so freely. Texas is so lucky as I am to be able to call you friend,❤️ my friend!

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