
“In your Anam-cara you discovered the Other with whom your heart could be at home.”
~ John O’Donohue, The Confessions of St. Patrick (Introduction)
On this notion of our soul-deep yearning for our anam cara, our true soul friends and believing mirrors, Carla Woody, of Kenosis, shares:
“We all need allies — fellow travelers on the path — to connect with deeply. This is especially so when words don’t express what takes you beyond the everyday life to the one that has no form.
Yet your allies do understand and can add their own stories that place you on common ground…”*
I’ve surely found this to be the case and am ever-grateful for my ‘inner circle’ of Anam Cara — the soul friends, kindred-spirit peeps, and dear mentors and ‘believing mirrors‘ who are and have long been devotedly (and resiliently!) walking between the worlds and living the The Way, as it’s sometimes called.
Because it is a Great Work experiment in transformation — the deep remembering of other ways of being, seeing, and doing than we were ingrained with and conditioned in — each of us will very sincerely say without hesitation how vital our Anam Cara, our soul friends and kindred-spirit path mates, are to us.
“Formally or informally, the anam cara listens deeply to us and assists us in kindling our own inherent wisdom and self-knowledge.”
~ Frank MacEowen, The Celtic Way
It’d be too crazy-depressing or overwhelming otherwise!
These exchanges, my Anam Cara, are among the reasons I was able to find my way at all through the ego-stripping initiations and long dark nights that unfolded, and managed to experience joy and wonder along the way, so the well of my gratitude and appreciation for my Allies on the Path runs very deep.
And it’s precisely why I feel as devoted as I do to being Anam Cara and believing mirror, and holding the lantern for others, too.
How about you — are you feeling the Anam Cara Peep Support, those dearly appreciated ‘believing mirrors‘, or are you seeking for these beloved Allies on your Path?
If the latter, consider an anam cara spiritual-direction (or intuitive-insight dialogue) session. You’ll find more about that here.
Love,
* Read the full “Reflections on Fire and Allies” from Carla Woody here.
August 7, 2013 at 7:14 pm
You have a way of so eloquently putting the words perfectly.
I agree totally that the words to express the joy and gratitude are sometimes insufficient to the “feelings” they are called to describe. I hold my mentors and way finders along with many wonderful energies very close to my heart as they are my community that helps manifest and support the reality . Thanks Jamie!!
August 7, 2013 at 7:22 pm
Thank you, Lin. I’m glad you enjoyed the musing and reflection!
xoxo Love, Jamie
August 8, 2013 at 1:56 am
Good Timing 🙂 <3
August 8, 2013 at 1:06 pm
So good to know that you found it timely. 🙂 xoxo Love, Jamie
August 8, 2013 at 10:10 pm
Jamie, thanks so much for including my words and link to the full article in your lovely post! I can’t help but notice the synchronicity that yours includes a photo of one of St. Brigid’s holy wells. Not too long ago I wrote about the one located in Liscannor and an experience I had there. If you want to take a peek at The Holy Places you can go here: http://wp.me/p2tsgC-5V. I’m sharing your post on FB.
August 8, 2013 at 11:18 pm
You’re so welcome, Carla. It’s my great pleasure to connect the dots and spread the word in the spirit of the Work. Everyone benefits. 🙂 I’m an Imbolc baby (Feb. 2) so feel that connection to Brigid (and She makes a few appearances in the Sophia’s Children blog!). Needless to say, I’m eager to visit your Sacred Places link that you shared. Thank you! Blessings on the Way, Jamie