The Permeating Presence

Photo by Karen Wood

(St. Bridgit's Garden reflection pool, Ireland)

I close my eyes

And sink deep

Into a calm pool

Of gratitude and devotion ...

I am immersed

In quietude ~

Permeated by a

Loving, Holy Presence.

There are no words,

For they are unnecessary.

The Silence holds

Everything

In Its No-thing-ness.

I am nourished,

Uplifted,

Held,

Soothed,

Caressed,

Comforted,

Affirmed,

Purified,

Wholly Loved ~

By the permeating Presence.

Myriad thoughts float above

Along the surface

Of this deep, calm pool

Of gratitude and devotion.

I barely notice them ~

For the permeating Presence

Draws me deeper and deeper

Into Its Loving Silence.

There are no words ~

For they are unnecessary.

The Silence holds

Everything

In Its No-thing-ness.

~ By Karen Wood

In Your Holy Womb

Photo by Karen Wood

(Rose Window ~ Avila, Spain)

In Your Holy Womb,

Divine Mother,

I am not yet ~

I am about to be ~

I am not quite ready ~

I am still unfolding myself.

You still feed me,

Providing my entire life sustenance ...

You still hold me,

Carrying me securely within Your Being.

You are still forming me,

Impressing Your stamp of Divine Identity

Upon my every cell ~

Even marking my Soul

As sacred and holy.

I am yet to Be.

Still, within Your Holy Womb,

I am already

All That Is.

As You birth me, Divine Mother ~

May I be outside Your womb

True to That which I was

Inside Your Holy Nest.

May I ever be mindful

Of my sacred bloodline.

And may I seek solely

To bring honor, love and gratitude

As the only gifts worthy

Of such a Divine Parent.

~ By Karen Wood

A Most Holy Gift



Photo by Karen Wood
(Above Magi Temple door at Beverly Hall, Quakertown, PA, http://www.soul.org/)

 
You Bless me ~
Showering me
With all Good Gifts ...

I cannot see them ~
For my eyes are fixed
On worldly concerns.

Open my eyes,
Oh, Supreme Giver!

May I recognize
Each Holy Present,
No matter its wrapping.

May I see You
In every Gift ...

May I give back
From a deep well
Of unending gratitude ...

And may I know
Myself
The way You know me ~
As a priceless Spark of the Divine ...
A most Holy Gift.

~ By Karen Wood

Embracing the Pain

Photo by Karen Wood

(Encarnation Convent, Avila, Spain)



Freedom from searing pain

Teaches gratitude

For pain-free movements ...

Agony of ill health

Brings me to my knees ~

Humbling my Heart ...

Through pain,

I recognize That

Which is Master of Wholeness.

Through tears,

I see the only Truth

Which can release me.

I embrace the pain ...

Grateful for it.

For what seemed my captor

Unveils itself as Wisdom Teacher.

~ By Karen Wood