Last weekend about 25 of us attended the Center for Spiritual Living Tahoe-Truckee annual retreat at Ananda’s Expanding Light Retreat. It was truly a retreat that allowed us to let go of the everyday world and refocus our attention on the natural beauty that is everywhere around us. The fall leaves were at their peak. Shades of gold, orange and red intermingled with the tall pines. Leaves of every color and shape blanketed the landscape. As the misty rain gently fell, it transformed every leaf, every rock, and every branch into a shimmering creation of Divine Beauty. Time seemed to stand still.
Against this magnificent and beautiful backdrop, Karen Drucker’s music and our conversations opened doorways to experience spiritual insights and unconditional love. As each one of us opened our hearts to loving ourselves and practicing self-care, we found ourselves going deeper within and discovering who we truly are: beloved creations of God’s Infinite Love. This is what it feels like to know God, to experience God’s Grace.
Just as a mother loves their child unconditionally, regardless of what they have done or what trials and tribulations they are going through, God sees only beauty without judgment. The sun continues to shine whether we are out in the sun to enjoy it or we shut ourselves indoors away from its warming rays. When we open the door, the sun is still shining. It has never stopped. Immediately we are immersed in the sun’s light and warmth. Similarly, God’s Unconditional Love continues to surround us 24/7. We may choose to shut ourselves off from that Love, but It is always there, waiting for us to receive Love and God’s Grace.
As we seek to know God, Divine Love calls us to shift our attention deeper within our being. There, in our hearts, we discover God as the Divine Love dwelling within our own being. It is the Spiritual Truth of who we are. As we turn and look out into the world again from this place of Oneness with God, we see with the eyes of God. God’s Grace and Love reveal the Beauty everywhere. We see only beauty in ourselves and each other.
Love and light,
Rev Pam
