Contemplative Fire Events

Contemplative Fire Hosted a Lenten Retreat called "Awakening"

Photo Credit: Sandchem on Flickr.com

We considered how the Season of Lent can be thought of as a time for us to awaken to the Spirit within. It is a season to let go of some things, to allow us to focus on more important things. Lent is an invitation to take some time apart.

We considered how awakening is like the "popping" of a poppy.
At first the poppy is tight, compact, full of potential, but perhaps constricted, restricted and cramped.
Our lives are often like that. And we yearn for the spaciousness of an awakened spirit.

Photo Credit: Robynejayon Flickr.com

An awakened spirit is open. It is unpredictable in its form and flow. It moves. It is a surprise.

A wonderful part of the day was the sharing. We shared wine and bread. We shared a wonderful meal. And we shared about ourselves: what speaks to us, what our experience has been.

A poem which we shared speaks about both the need to dive into the deep, and fear of it. And how, fear can be transcended and reality can be changed when Spirits awaken.




A Poem by Carol Bialock:

Photo Credit: Rusty Russ on Flickr.com

I built my house by the sea.
Not on sand, mind you.
Not on the shifting sand.
And I built it of rock.

A strong house.
By a strong sea.
And we got well-acquainted, the sea and I.
Good neighbors.
Not that we spoke much.
We met in silences.
Respectful, keeping our distance,
but looking our thoughts across the fence
of sand.
Always, the fence of sand our barrier;
always the sand between.

And then one day
(I still don't know how it happened),
but the sea came.
Without warning.
Without welcome, even.
Not sudden and swift, but sifting across the
sand like wine.
Less like the flow of water than the flow
of blood.
Slow, but coming.
Slow, but flowing like an open wound.
And I thought of flight and I thought of drowning and I thought of death.
And while I thought the sea crept higher,
till it reached my door.

I knew, then, there was neither flight nor
death nor drowning.
That when the sea comes calling you stop
being good neighbors,
Well-acquainted, friendly-from-a-distance
neighbors.
And you give your house for a coral castle,
And you learn to breathe under water.


Quoted from "Contemplative Catholic" here.

Photo Credit - Robert Scott Photography on Flickr.com

We concluded our day with some visioning for the future of Contemplative Fire Niagara. Our Core Team will be meeting in the near future to plan Contemplative Fire Niagara Events and will keep you updated.