“HIDING…
is a way of staying alive. Hiding is a way of holding ourselves until we are ready to come into the light. Even hiding the truth from ourselves can be a way to come to what we need in our own necessary time. …
We live in a time of the dissected soul, the immediate disclosure; our thoughts, imaginings and longings exposed to the light too much, too early and too often, our best qualities squeezed too soon into a world already awash with too easily articulated ideas that oppress our sense of self and our sense of others.
What is real is almost always to begin with, hidden, and does not want to be understood by the part of our mind that mistakenly thinks it knows what is happening.
What is precious inside us does not care to be known by the mind in ways that diminish its presence.”
Excerpted from ‘Hiding’, from Consolations: The Solace, Nourishment and Underlying Meaning of Everyday Words, by the Poet, David Whyte. Shared via Mr. Whyte’s Facebook page, where you can read the full musing – highly recommended inspiration.
“What is precious inside us does not care to be known … in ways that diminish its presence.”
Amen to that.
And what is precious within us rises like the plant to the sun when in the presence of those who hold us sacred, who affirm and invite that from us, and reflect it back to us.
As I read this musing from David Whyte, shared by a friend on Facebook, I thought of our believing mirrors (and those who diminish, as well), and am filled with gratitude for the believing mirrors I’ve had along the way.
They sometimes sparkled like rare gems in a sea of diminishing-mirrors, and were all the more precious to me because of it.
I also thought that it’s wise to gather back our energy and be more discerning about what with share with whom, because we can easily dissipate ourselves and end up, as Bilbo Baggins says, feeling like too little butter spread over too much bread. Spread too thin, we open ourselves to a variety of things that don’t necessarily contribute to our wellbeing (that’s a post in itself!).
And finally I thought of the delicious pleasure of things we keep sacred, and the hidden gardens and secret gates that open or reveal themselves to us — often quite unexpectedly — along our path.
So here’s my blessing and my wish for you…
May you be blessed with a tribe of anam cara and believing mirrors who reflect back all that’s beautiful and worthy in you, and who hold sacred your budding visions and generously bless your adventures underway!
Big Love,
December 21, 2014 at 2:35 am
Dear Jamie,
It’s Maureen again. (Or Mo, I go by both). This Post knocked the breath out of me. Jaw on floor, sock knocked off, the whole works. For a few reasons:
1. First, the quote you pulled from David’s Whyte’s comments. I couldn’t believe my eyes — first when I read it in the italic text, and then reading it again at the beginning of your writing. Here’s why: I first read this post Friday morning. The night before — just 12 hours before reading this — I stumbled across a quote in a book about Art as Medicine, that spoke so loudly to me, I rewrote it in my sketchbook:
“The soul is a very perfect judge of her own motions, if your mind does not dictate to her … The soul’s deepest will is to preserve its own integrity, against the mind and the whole mass of disintegrating forces. Soul sympathizes with soul.” ~ D.H. Lawrence, 1923
***
2. The second paragraph from David Whyte about the “dissected soul” described me to such a T, I actually felt a little disoriented. I kept forgetting it was quoted text, and wondered how in the world you were able to know me that well, after only a few brief exchanges. Then I’d remember it was not you but David Whyte speaking, which was even weirder! This kept happening, whenever I read this post (I’ve read a few of your recent posts many times over the past couple days!). Your own words, about ‘spreading ourselves thin’ (love the butter analogy), and sharing too much too soon with people we don’t yet know well enough to trust … well, that’s pretty much the story of my life.
***
3. Your Blessing. oh, that is the cry of my soul!!! To have tribe of like-minded souls — who won’t judge or reject me if I can’t measure up … and to have believing mirrors rather than diminishing ones. Yes, with a heaving sigh….yes. This blessing from you resonates throughout my being in ways I simply can’t put in words. So I will just say, Thank you. Thank you!!!! From my heart and spirit and soul, I am so grateful to you.
***
(In my last comment I mentioned how these recent posts have been eliciting waterfalls of tears … good ones. Well, with Jackson Browne singing in my head, Here come those tears again!)
December 21, 2014 at 8:44 pm
You’re very welcome, Maureen. 🙂 Sounds like it was quite a synchronicity having those words of David Whyte’s reflected back just then. May the tears and revelations be cleansing and healing and attended by Grace! So many of us feel scattered about like acupuncture needles on the Earth, separated from and yearning for our anam cara and soul tribe (thank the Divine for the technology that helps to connect us in the meanwhile!). Wishing you a blessed Solstice and Season of Lights, Maureen. So glad you’re part of the Sophia’s Children community here in the ethers. 🙂 Love, Jamie
December 21, 2014 at 3:52 pm
Reblogged this on lampmagician.
March 2, 2015 at 11:38 pm
Very comforting. Thank you.
March 3, 2015 at 2:14 am
Thank you, Joanna. I’m glad you found it so. Thank you for stopping by for a visit! I look forward to visiting your blog as well. Blessings, Jamie