~Saint Teresa of Avila~
I'm back! After a month long hiatus from my blog, I want to declare I am well. My computer however needed serious healing with the local computer geeks...but it now seems well too. While it was being repaired though, I was able to plough through my latest book club selection by Caroline Myss called, "Entering the Castle... Finding the Inner Path to God and Your Soul's Purpose."
(This book was inspired by St. Teresa of Avila, who was an extraordinary 16th century saint and contemplative master. She wrote "The Interior Castle" which was a guide to finding your soul.)
A glimpse into the writing from this book......
"Contain your experience
with the divine so that it does not escape you but rather shapes you.
Be silent. Silence will help you avoid engaging in the games of
competition and illusion that regularly seduce us in the outside world.
Silence also helps you avoid distraction. It helps focus the busy
mind---the mind that always has to be doing something, thinking
something, the mind that always has to be otherwise engaged lest it
become introspective and allow the soul's voice to override its own.
The silence I am describing is a silence that you use to contain the
grace you receive when you enter the Castle of your soul. This quality
of silence allows you to engage in discernment. You carry this silence
within you, even when you are with others. It allows you to hold your
center amid the chaos of your life; it keeps you clear so that you do
not do or say things you will regret or make decisions out of fear."
Source: Entering the Castle: An Inner Path to God and Your Soul, Pages: 38-39
Our book club meeting was cancelled last night because our hostess, L, had a houseful of sick children and an ailing husband. (I have been there!) That's okay, as it gives me more time to go back and work on some of the "soul work" that the book suggests.
Do you ever find it interesting that when you are working on connecting with the divine, that stuff comes up to make you work all the harder to align yourself and your actions with your highest self? WEtLL, I have had a boat load of crap hitting the fan around here all month and I am very conscious of how unsettling it is to me. I guess that is the thing about raising your vibration. All of a sudden you are hyper-sensitive to negative energy fields AND how you are reacting to them. Let's just say, I have been caught up in the drama a bit more than I would have liked.
Okay, here is where I breathe in and whisper "Om" and exhale slowly. Peaceful breathing.
I'm not going to go into details over everything that has transpired, for there is always something in life to suck us in and take control of our sacred self and don't we love to vent! In retrospection, I'm so grateful for the blue screen which signaled the shut down of the hard drive on my computer, for I wouldn't have taken the time to REALLY read this deeply moving book or been listening to my soul which is gently reminding me that all is well. In our darkest moments, the brightest light shines.
Although I was aware that the key to communing with my soul was practicing a daily ritual of silence, meditation, and prayer, this book reaffirmed what I already knew and helped to get me back on track. It carried me through some rough patches this month.
In the past, my prayers have often started with a thank you, but then they would go on asking for protection for my family, friends, and world. While reading "Entering the Castle," I have come to realize that within the walls of my castle, I am always protected. There is NOTHING to fear. My prayer is now just a humble thank you. It is a blissful thank you. It is a tearful thank you, as I've been reminded that I am perfect exactly as I am and always, ALWAYS loved. All is well.
On this earth school, we get side tracked as we bump up against walls and try to figure out how to scale them. We forget that the draw bridge to our castle is always down for us to cross and we can enter at any time to be restored and filled with the love that is waiting there, just for us. Then when we re-emerge to our "real life," we are over flowing with light and love and wherever we go we shine.
I'm going to spend a lot of my weekend in my castle, restoring my energy. In silence, as much as one is able with 6 children in residence. In quiet contemplation throughout the day. I may head out for a walk in nature sometime throughout the weekend and then when my legs are tired, I'll return home to make myself a pot of spicy chai tea. My favourite thing to drink this time of year. Maybe I will even whip up another batch of cranberry orange scones.The last batch I made last week were literally inhaled.
A favourite room in my castle is filled with floor to ceiling dark wood bookshelves, loaded with books. A crackling fire is filling the room with light and on either side of the fireplace are comfy chairs. Between the chairs, is a small table, perfectly suited for a tray with a pot of tea and a plate of scones.
It is there, when I sit opposite my soul and open up boxes from my past. Memories of humiliation, hurt and ridicule. It is there I empty the boxes, letting go of fear, anger, and scorn. Not just inflicted upon me, but also when I was the perpetrator of pain. I become humble. My wounds finally heal and divine grace overcomes me. Peace and a sense of of belonging fill me and a connection to all things in time and space overwhelm me. Tears of gratitude flow.
And then I leave that room after saying a thanksgiving prayer and open another door, peeking into another castle room where more soul work can take place.
What does your favourite castle room look like? What restores your soul so you can heal and go out into the world and fill it with more light? You are not alone.
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| Princess Victoria and Kathryn in their castle in our family room |
Before I close, I want to share my delicious scone recipe with you so you too can whip up a batch and perhaps while you are sipping your tea and enjoying a scone, you will think of me and know you have a soul companion while you are on your journey. Your soul's journey.
(BTW..scones are a Scottish quick bread originated between 1505 and 1515. Scones are named after the Stone of Destiny (or Scone), the place where Scottish kings were once crowned.......kind of an appropriate thing to take into your castle is what I was thinking)
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| These scones were eaten quickly while still hot, yummy! |
Hope's "Castle" Cranberry Orange Scones
Ingredients
2 cups of all purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar and then 2 tbsp of sugar for topping
1 tbsp grated orange peel
2 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp baking soda
1/3 cup cold butter
1 cup dried cranberries
1/4 cup orange juice (I squeeze the orange that I used for the peel)...save 1 tbsp for the glaze
1/4 cup half and half cream
1 egg
1 tbsp milk for the topping
Glaze recipe
1/2 cup confectioner's sugar
1 tbsp of orange juice
1 tsp of cinnamon...Alyssa loves this addition
Directions
In a large bowl, combine flour, 1/4 cup sugar, orange peel, baking powder salt and the baking soda. Then cut in the butter with a pastry cutter or two knives until the mixture resembles course crumbs. Set aside and then in a smaller bowl combine cranberries, orange juice, cream and egg. Add to flour mixture and stir until you have a soft dough.
Pour onto a floured surface and then knead gently. Pat dough into an 8 inch lightly greased pan...I use my cake pan. Brush top with milk, then sprinkle with the sugar.
Bake at 400 degrees F for 12 to 15 minutes or until lightly brown. Let sit for a few minutes and then turn over onto a wire rack.
When slightly cooled, drizzle the glaze over the warm scones. Cut into triangles, serve nice and warm,,,,and don't forget to set aside a few to take into your castle with your pot of tea.
"Let your Castle become a sacred ground beneath your feet. Live the power of your soul. Listen to and follow the voice of your soul. You are not alone. No higher purpose in this life exists than to be called into a mystical relationship withe the divine." ~Caroline Myss~...last page from the book
"Let nothing disturb you
Let nothing frighten you
All things pass away
God never changes
Patience obtains all things
He who has God lacks for nothing
God alone suffices." ~Saint Teresa of Avila~
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| Leeds Castle in the U.K. (interestingly, as I was writing this blog post, my daughter unbeknownst to me was touring Leeds Castle...WOW! |
And all manner of things shall be well~
Until we meet again, may you be well, happy and peaceful.
Blessings from Hope
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