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

The Space Within

Photo by Karen Wood

(Labyrinth in Crestone, CO)

The space within cannot contain

All the Love You hold out for me,

Sweet Lord and Lover of my Soul!

I expand until ready to burst,

Hoping to somehow fill myself

With Your great Love.

Yet there is ever more.

I draw in Love.

I exhale Love.

I eat and drink Love.

I imagine Love in the most fanciful places ...

I sometimes think I see Love

Even in the darkness.

Even when I sleep,

I find myself

Sometimes dreaming Love.

Oh, Sweet, Mysterious Love!

Love me until I cannot draw in another moment ~

Or exhale another piece of You!

Love me until I can no longer imagine You ~

Or see You in the darkness!

Love me until I no longer can eat or drink You

When I feast or fast!

Love me until there is nothing left to Love

But You and You Alone!

Love me until I have learned

That the Space Within

Is All there is ...

And it is Only Love.

~ By Karen Wood



In The Depths of My Being

(Photo by Karen Wood)

In the depths of my Being

I burn with Love ...

The hot, Divine Flame

Consumes all

That is not holy.

The Flame licks its lips ~

Devouring anger,

Regret,

Impure thoughts,

Judgment,

Ill will,

Inaction,

Fear,

Carelessness,

Envy,

Impatience,

Excesses,

Jealousy,

Doubts,

Discontent,

Arrogance,

Covetousness ...

I feed the Flame well ~

Continually tossing more and more

Unholy passions

Into its ravenous mouth.

I draw Life and Joy

From the flaming Sacred Fire within ...

And burn with Divine Love ~

In the depths of my Being.

~ By Karen Wood

"Just For A Moment" Prayer

Photo by Karen Wood

Oh, Holy One!

Just for a moment ~

Strip away my thoughts,

My desires,

My longings,

My daydreams,

My fantasies.

Peel back my emotions

So I no longer feel sad or lonely,

Energetic or tired,

Happy or joyful.

Steal back sensations

So I no longer hear,

See,

Feel,

Taste,

Smell, or

Sense.

Take away my identity,

My occupation,

My hobbies,

My life pursuits.

Remove me from my family,

My children,

My parents,

My siblings,

My extended relations.

Separate me

From all friends.

Unravel me

Until there is nothing left of me ~

Until I am laid completely and utterly bare

Before You.

In that moment, Oh, Holy One!

May I see myself as You see me.

May I see Myself

When I gaze into You.

In that moment, Oh, Holy One!

May I know the One within myself

Who Is

All Friends,

All Families,

All Sensations,

All Emotions,

All Thoughts,

All Desires,

All Identities,

The All in All.

May it be just for a moment ~

Or for the rest of my life.

~ 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

Entering the Divine Womb

(Photo by Karen Wood)

I enter Your Holy Womb,

Divine Mother,

And sink deep into prayer

In Your sacred, dark, feminine nest.

May I always hear Your Voice there

Along with Your Loving Heartbeat.

May I always be strengthened ~

Nourished by the Wisdom

That feeds my Soul there.

May I always find rest for my journey

Cradled within Your waiting belly.

And may I ever heed the calls

You whisper to me ...

And carry forth the songs

You sing to me there.

~ By Karen Wood

Songs of Devotion to The Holy Father ...

Photo by Karen Wood

(Crestone, CO)

"I AM God the Father" Song

"I AM God the Father,

"I AM the One you claim;

"I AM God the Father ~

"Praise My Holy Name!

"I have heard you call my Name;

"I have heard your every prayer.

"My arms of Love are 'round you;

"You remain ever in my care.

"I will always be within you.

"I will always be your Guide.

"I have always been there with you.

"I have never left your side.

"I AM God the Father,

"I AM the One you claim;

"I AM God the Father ~

"Praise My Holy Name!"

~ Lyrics by Karen Wood

Photo by Karen Wood

(Avila, Spain)

"Holy Father-Holy Daughter" Song

"I love You, Holy Father!

"I love You, Holy One!

"I am Your Holy Daughter,

"We're meant to be as One!

"Come now, please! Holy Father!

"Come, take Your Holy Throne!

"Come now, please! Holy Father!

"My heart must be Your Home!"

~ Lyrics by Karen Wood