Monday 19 October 2015

Star gazing

Last weekend I went on a women's retreat in Jasper. Such an inspirational place! Besides getting together with friends, old & new, we were inspired by worship, speakers, food and of course the mountains around us. This week was also the dark sky festival. Jasper park is a designated dark sky area, with low energy lighting. So we drove out in the evening to Pyramid lake and watched the bright stars. The big dipper was very bright and easy to spot. We saw the Milky Way and Hercules, but then the clouds came in and every star was obscured.
People use the stars to navigate, but how do you see where you're going in the dark?
One of my friends mentioned that she always knew where I was because she could hear my distinct voice. When sight fails us we can often hear better. When sound fails us we can often see better. I've been practicing quiet and solitude these weeks and as in real life, certain spiritual faculties are enhanced when others are blocked. It has been a rich time of listening and seeing. Noticing the close relation and order of these two faculties.  When we become quiet we can listen to God's voice inside us and from this attitude we are able to see clearer what's happening around us and inside of us. The bright and deep night sky is so fascinating and humbling and mysterious, yet you can find your way home easily, when you know where to look.
Day 3 of Creation