Carolyn J. Sweers - Stillness and Insight: GLIMPSES OF SOMETHING VAST

Things are all the time signaling to us . But we, so immune to all advances other than the ones we plan, walk on, our intentions a protective barrier. What if, as we walked down the street, we walked knowing that down that street was a secret waiting to be disclosed? What if we walked in expectation that some enchantment awaited us? We would walk intently with that studied nonchalance of one who stalks elusive prey. We know that if we try too hard, our gaze might frighten it away and so we walk, pretending not to notice, pretending not to care but scanning, scanning, always scanning. And then, sometimes, enchantment comes: In the sound of moving water. The shadow pattern of branches moving in a summer breeze.

A hand stirring soup. Everything a marvel. Everything a wonder. A challenge to the reader . See if you can find such a moment, as those just described, in your own experience. See of you can remember moments of stillness; moments of wonder.

Here are some phrases that may help you to remember: When I was very young.... I shall never forget that particular afternoon... The strong scent came pouring from the open door... At first, the darkness frightened me... Such a dream I had that night... Even now, I can see it clearly....

All my words were as if they had been snatched away... I had passed that way many times before but had never noticed until I moved through once familiar places as if I were a stranger. I awoke with a start All at once I knew. I felt as if something long slumbering had begun to awake. At dusk (or dawn), I almost felt it... What words can sound these mystic moments? What words can draw us to the threshold? What words are still tied, as with a birth cord, To the Silence out of which They come? How good we get to be with words.

The words we think. The words we say. The words we hear. The words we read. The world is words, if were not careful.