From a very young age (4-5 years old,) I found myself on the receiving end of many moments I now call “unitive experiences”. Time seemed to stop and veils seemed to pull back as the deeper essence of the moment came forward within me and around me. I liked the feelings these experiences evoked and began to connect the dots that THIS was the key to happiness. The joy was so great I longed for everyone to get to experience this happiness! It was like wanting to share your favorite ice cream cone with a friend.
Curious by nature, deeper questions have been a big part of my life from those moments forward. And these deeper questions lead me presently to believe that Source/Spirit/Life Force are within our very center (figuratively.) Yes, in this LOVE we live and move and have our being.
My journey, probably similar to yours, continues to be an ever unfolding participation in the co-creation of my life. Through dark nights where beauty seems concealed and blissful days where time seems to stop I surrender again and again.
From where I stand we have only little moments in life which are really the big ones. Caught up in a divine love affair, I lived as a Carmelite nun in a monastery for over ten years meditating, chanting, living in community and learning about Presence. Thinking I would happily live a hidden life as Sr. Mary Annunciata of Jesus for the rest of my life, what a surprise I had when I ended up being the general contractor of a new monastery. Take a look at my TEDx talk to find out more.
Another surprise was to find after building the monastery the next step in my own path was to leave and obtain my seminary training and Masters in Theology with a concentration upon the adult spiritual journey at the Washington Theological Union. My hope was to learn how to hear from the level of essence where language may differ but the experience of the ineffable is the same. In this I continue to grow so that I might be a friend and guide.
Yet another expansion happened as I moved from ministry in the catholic church to working with people of ALL backgrounds as a woman minister. I sought further training in esoteric healing with Rev. Laura Thornberry leading to ordination through Church of the Creator and through another deep training am now a Reiki Master. And now I can say happily I have met heart to heart, soul to soul with 10s of 1000s through my retreats, sessions, events and workshops!
If life is a playground then the line between work and play are truly dotted.. I believe life is a playground and we are all mystics.
