Anam Cara, Soul Friend

"In Celtic spiritual traditions, it is believed that the soul radiates all about the physical body, what some refer to as an aura.  When you connect with another person and then become completely open and trusting with that individual, your two souls begin to flow together.  Should such a deep bond be truly formed, it is said you have found your Anam Cara or Soul Friend.

John O'Donohue



Soul Friends bless my life.  They are a bright light attracting my attention, trust, and compassion.  There is an absence of judgment which has been replaced by encouragement, wisdom, and hope.  These soul friends have softly offered guidance, demonstrated passions, and shared  personal stories, (the unedited manuscripts).

Soul friends are those individuals whose presence seems to have existed forever.  It is a heart connection that expands beyond time, ancestry, and unearthly realms.  Connecting our gazes,  there is no need for verbal communication.  There is an exchange of simple knowing that is immediately understood.  Even the physical hug speaks volumes to the heart.

The term 'sister of my heart' is how I have labeled these spiritual relationships in the past and  soul friend strikes another chord.  Unless we open ourselves to others, we will not experience this union.  It takes trust, a willingness to run the risk of judgment, and vulnerability.  Avoiding cultural distraction, we focus on the beauty within and the peace if offers.  

Awakening to Personal Power

“Once the soul awakens, the search begins and you can never go back. From then on, you are inflamed with a special longing that will never again let you linger in the lowlands of complacency and partial fulfillment. The eternal makes you urgent. You are loath to let compromise or the threat of danger hold you back from striving toward the summit of fulfillment.”

John O'Donohue
Anam Cara:  A Book of Celtic Wisdom



It is believed by many that our souls are waking up to discover a Divine Presence within us, shifting us into a different way of embracing our world.  It is becoming apparent to many that the power once needed to govern new territories has become a weapon used to manipulate and control for an outcome of greed.  It is no longer a simple act of safety, but an act for personal gain.

The souls that are awakening are not focused on external power.  They are discovering the power within themselves.  They are discovering unique gifts and talents allowing them to be compassionate, accepting and respectful to all peoples.  They are not competitive and exclusively looking for private gain.  Everyone wants to prosper, but not at the cost of repressing others.  These awakening souls are finding God in everything and everyone, so extending harm is not their answer.

Awakening can happen over a very long period of time.  We can be aware of it and ignore it until it pesters us enough to finally respond.  When we awaken, we feel a personal power, not to be used over others, but to be used to fulfill our life's purpose.  For others, awakening can be a very potent spiritual experience. 

If we choose to be fully awakened and alter a time worn belief system, we move from being a five sensory human being into a multi-sensory being.  We recognize the presence of the physical but also the non-physical.  We begin to lose our sense of separation and feel connected to all there is.

Throughout history, there have been awakened souls, but they have been a minority escaping to monasteries or living in exclusion.  The awakened soul today realizes the need to not only discover gifts and talents, but the necessity to share the gifts and talents with others in order to help them follow their own hearts as well.

When like attracts like, kindred spirits can be a source of encouragement, receptive listening, or a way-shower.  The light we all carry within begins to beam brightly attracting other light of those who are also dedicated to honesty, respect, and calm. 

According to Gary Zukav in his book, SPIRITUAL PARTNERSHIP, the generation coming into the world today are already awakening and by the time the following generation arrives, the world will be using personal power on the basis of supporting each other with our gifts and talents rather than manipulating and controlling for personal gain.

"A pipe dream," one may think, but it is a beginning to be believed in.  Improvement must be made to delete the violence of man and his selfish thinking.  Increment by increment, we all can change if we choose to and I do so hope we all will choose. 

Encased in a Bubble

 Though it will always be difficult

To find the words for what you feel,

May you find ease in that awkwardness

Until gradually from beneath

The gravel of stuttered sounds

The pure flow of you emerges.

John O'Donohue

To Bless the Space Between Us

There is no sunshine, just a promise of rain.  I feel absolutely the same.  There is no sun shining  in my heart, and the clouds are moving in with tears.  I long for the release of emotion, and feel as though I may burst in the process.

Words are my strength, stringing them lovingly together, and yet today, my words are utterly useless.  They are awkward and clumsy leaving my thoughts and feelings trapped inside.

Word spread through my circle of friends  of a terrible loss.  I feel completely inadequate to offer any words of comfort as I know at this point, there are no healing words.  No phrases could possibly ease the pain and there are no sayings able to drain the anger from the heart. 

In solitude, I hold my friend and her family in my mind's eye.  I cover them with love, energy, and light hoping they will each find a healthy way to deal with their pain and loss.  I encase them in a golden light, mentally placing them in a bubble to maintain spiritual support for as long as they may need.

Continuing in quiet, I mentally hold this circle of friends in the palms of my hands.  I cover them with energy, love and light.  I send the intention of courage and wisdom  so we may all support our friend and allow ourselves to discover acceptance and healing as well.  May we stand present with our friend while finding a new way to begin again.

For a New Beginning, John O'Donohue

For a New Beginning

In out-of-the-way places of the heart,
Where your thoughts never think to wander,
This beginning has been quietly forming,
Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,
Feeling the emptiness growing inside you,
Noticing how you willed yourself on,
Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety
And the gray promises that sameness whispered,
Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,
Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,
And out you stepped onto new ground,
Your eyes young again with energy and dream,
A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear
You can trust the promise of this opening;
Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning
That is at one with your life's desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;
Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;
Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,
For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

~ John O'Donohue ~

(To Bless the Space Between Us)

Blessings of Solitude by John O'Donohue

 

 

 

 

 

May you recognize in your life the presence,

power, and light of your soul.

May you realize that you are never alone,

that your soul in its brightness and belonging

connects you intimately with the rhythm of the universe.

May you have respect for your individuality and difference.

May you realize that the shape of your soul is unique,

that you have a special destiny here,

that behind the facade of your life

there is something beautiful and eternal happening.

May you learn to see your self

with the same delight,

pride, and expectation

with which God sees you in every moment.

John O’Donohue

 

 

This morning I was missing a friend of mine who is on vacation, so I spent some time on her blog: 

 

Nan Yoga ~ Along the Path 

http://www.nanyoga-alongthepath.blogspot.com  

 

She has introduced me to numerous poets over the years through her inspiring style of teaching yoga.  She is also a member of the writer's group I attend.

 

Reading John O'Donohue's poem happened to occur while I was thinking of the writer's group meeting yesterday.  As I had not attended for some time, I was very impressed to find an atmosphere of positive thinking.  The focus was on steps that had been taken (even if baby steps) rather than reporting on the many tasks left undone.  There was enthusiasm and encouragement which quickly became infectious.  I realized that in my absence, these writers self-confidence and recognition of self-worth had definitely heightened. 

 

In reading Blessings of Solitude by John O'Donohue I was once again reminded of principles that keep us strong and focused.  We need to recognize and embrace the gifts and talents that happen to be unique to our selves, honoring them rather than comparing them.  In times of loneliness, rather than shutting down inwardly, we can reach out to the beauty surrounding us or utilize prayer, meditation, yoga, etc ...  All of these actions connect us with Divine Spirit, The Universe, God and Angels.  We can readily grow more fully into our selves if we hold the reflection of how we are seen by our Creator.

 

Personal discoveries made in solitude develop trust and confidence.  We are a part of a very large picture and this very large picture will not be complete unless we contibute our unique splash of color!

 

 

Hidden Silences

One of the tasks of true friendship

is to listen compassionately and 

creatively to the hidden silences. 

Often secrets are not revealed in words, 

they lie concealed in the silence 

between the words 

or in the depth of what is 

unsayable between two people. 

A BOOK OF CELTIC WISDOM 

~John O'Donohue 

Anam Cara 

No matter how diverse a circle of women, an unseen bond secures the circle. Over time, each woman in the group experiences the opportunity to articulate the silence dwelling within her heart. Even when fear holds words captive, the women offer understanding and encouragement embracing any unspoken declaration.

When we are separated from our friends, time passes, and life moves on. Then we find ourselves joyfully visiting one or all of our friends and the conversation seems to pick up right where it left off.

There is something endearing about looking into the eyes of a 'sister of the heart' and experiencing a special knowing that silently passes between you. A voiceless communication transpires securing the bond of the relationship.

In a circle of women or in the presence of a dear friend, one does not always find appropriate words. Women capable of listening with compassion to what is not being said is a greater gift than being 'silver tongued'. Even if the women do not totally understand each other, their simple presence brings comfort.

Having a place to sit with our hidden silences is priceless. When we feel totally accepted there is a restoration of spirit. We have newly found courage to move forward once again.

For A New Beginning

For A New Beginning

In out-of-the way places of the heart,

Where your thoughts never think to wander,

This beginning has been quietly forming,

Waiting until you were ready to emerge.

For a long time it has watched your desire,

Feeling the emptiness growing inside of you,

Noticing how you willed yourself on,

Still unable to leave what you had outgrown.

It watched you play with the seduction of safety

And the gray promises that sameness whispered,

Heard the waves of turmoil rise and relent,

Wondered would you always live like this.

Then the delight, when your courage kindled,

And out you stepped onto new ground,

Your eyes young again with energy and dream,

A path of plenitude opening before you.

Though your destination is not yet clear

You can trust the promise of this opening;

Unfurl yourself into the grace of beginning

That is at one with your life's desire.

Awaken your spirit to adventure;

Hold nothing back, learn to find ease in risk;

Soon you will be home in a new rhythm,

For your soul senses the world that awaits you.

John O'Donohue

(To Bless the Space Between Us)

This lovely poem was read to me during a group celebration for my transition into new chapters of my life.  Four lovely 'sisters of my heart' gathered around me and these softly spoken words resonated within my inner being. 

Without their love, encouragement, and insight, my spirit would not have so easily awakened to this lovely adventure awaiting me!

*I will carry all four of you in my heart forever ... Nancy, Sandy, Mary, and Kristal

For the Time of Necessary Decision

May we have the courage to take the step

Into the unknown that beckons us,

Trust that a richer life awaits us there,

That we will lose nothing

But what has already died;

Feel the deeper knowing in us sure

Of all that is about to be born beyond

The pale frames where we stayed confined,

Not realizing how such vacant endurance

Was bleaching our soul's desire.

To Bless The Space Between Us

by John O'Donohue

For Longing

For Longing

Blessed be the longing that brought you here
And quickens your soul with wonder.

May you have the courage to listen to the voice of desire
That disturbs you when you have settled for something safe.

May you have the wisdom to enter generously into your own unease
To discover the new direction your longing wants you to take.

May the forms of your belonging - in love, creativity, and friendship -
Be equal to the grandeur and the call of your soul.

May the one you long for long for you.

May your dreams gradually reveal the destination of your desire.

May a secret Providence guide your thought
And nurture your feeling.

May your mind inhabit your life with the sureness
with which your body inhabits the world.

May your heart never be haunted by ghost structures of old damage.

May you come to accept your longing as divine urgency.

May you know the urgency with which God longs for you.


To Bless the Space Between Us
by John O'Donohue