Artists’ Contemplative Retreat, Day 3, 12 June 2016, by Lisa Zuercher
Awoken by a crow at 5:40am I decided to start this journey anew. Fresh thoughts, fear embraced, and a gentler me peeped her head out and took a deep breath. I wondered what the symbolism for crow meant and learned she symbolized power of sight, transformation and subtle shifts of energy within self. As crow sees from a higher perspective, I knew this crow was prodding me to start my day with the new lens of heart shining through.
I was outside by 6:30am. Beach chair in hand (I always travel with beach chairs in the trunk of my car; never know when they’ll come in handy) I walked to the far eastern section of the car park. The spot was bug free and my heart was just as free. My soul was radiating. I took a seat on my well placed blue beach chair and gazed at the brilliant sun and allowed her warmth to fill my soul. The wind continued its accompaniment to the maple and oak trees dancing. And the caressing of unseen spirit, the energy of Love brought a smile to my face.
Photo credit, Lisa Zuercher, 2016
I tipped my head back and took advice from the crow and allowed the mysteries of life to awaken my core. I gazed deeper into the subtle shift of energy I was birthing. After a bit, I opened my journal and stared at the blank page. No writing this morning as there was an abundance of wisdom to absorb from my surroundings and I didn’t want to miss a thing. Healing was taking place. Focus. Wind. Singing birds. Dancing trees. I felt lighter.
Between breakfast and lunch I sat in the artists’ work room yet my heart was calling me elsewhere. A long conversation with Sr. Peggie, sculptor extraordinaire, ensued as she described her process. I could see God taking hold of her sculpture. I could see the holy radiating from her to me as we shared stories and laughed.
Trail of Serenity. Photo credit, Lisa Zuercher, 2016
A long walk around the property followed; my mind, body and spirit were still processing the energetic shifts. Picture taking helped me to capture God’s beauty and record the steps I was taking. The wind ferociously beating about had the trees dancing the paso doble; their intense movement released the remaining sludge hiding in my soul.
God was everywhere, there was no denying it.
This evening Sr. Peggie recited to the group Prinderella and the Cince, a word play on the Cinderella story, which she’d memorized so many years ago. After the first line the flood gates opened. I was howling, doubled over and my body heaving from laughter. This was Love. This was Peace. This was Community.