brother tadhg

Who Do You Think You Are?

I'm sure you have seen, or at least know something about the tv program, 'Who Do You Think You Are?'. 

GET READY FOR A SURPRISE

Each program centres around a celebrity, and through painstaking research we, the viewer, are taken on a fascinating, revealing journey of discovering the family history of that week's celebrity. There seems always to be surprises - and which family hasn't got those - and many tears as the well-heeled and famous  celebrity, who seems to have it all put together, discovers a grandparent or great-grandparent who, maybe, had a life of suffering through illness or persecution, a very humble beginning or spent time in a 'workhouse' etc.

It set me thinking. Who do you think you are? Who am I? What is our status, under the Divine, in the cosmos? Are we part of a cosmic accident, just bundles of DNA and carbon, or are we more?

I have some good news! You are more!

But What?

If you listen to some today, they will tell you...and I've heard humanity described as this...we are worms! Or when God looks at us he sees a 'train wreck'! 'He hates us', Ive heard some say. Now, this is not my belief, and it is certainly not part of sacred text's view of humanity. But, sadly there are some who believe that and (even more sadly) propagate that error, thinking they are right!

So, if you are not a worm, and not a 'train wreck'...what are you?

Sacred text says you are the apple of God's eye! You are a much loved child of God. And that the Divine desires a relationship with you and arranges a myriad of numinous events and synchronicities to get your attention. Such events are the ' winks' from the Divine to remind us, to reassure us, to draw us ever closer into a lovers embrace.

HUMANITY IN BLISS

C S Lewis in 'The Great Divorce' portrays a wonderful 'window' into heaven. He writes about seeing a woman radiating light and joy, and the inference that this is an important person, maybe the Vrigin Mary? Maybe not! Who is she? Do read what Lewis writes:

“First came bright Spirits, not the Spirits of men, who danced and scattered flowers. Then, on the left and right, at each side of the forest avenue, came youthful shapes, boys upon one hand, and girls upon the other. If I could remember their singing and write down the notes, no man who read that score would ever grow sick or old. Between them went musicians: and after these a lady in whose honour all this was being done.

I cannot now remember whether she was naked or clothed. If she were naked, then it must have been the almost visible penumbra of her courtesy and joy which produces in my memory the illusion of a great and shining train that followed her across the happy grass. If she were clothed, then the illusion of nakedness is doubtless due to the clarity with which her inmost spirit shone through the clothes. For clothes in that country are not a disguise: the spiritual body lives along each thread and turns them into living organs. A robe or a crown is there as much one of the wearer's features as a lip or an eye.

But I have forgotten. And only partly do I remember the unbearable beauty of her face.

“Is it?...is it?” I whispered to my guide.
     “Not at all,” said he. “It's someone you''ll never have heard of. Her name on earth was Sarah Smith and she lived at Golders Green.”
     “She seems to be...well, a person of particular importance?”
“Aye. She is one of the great ones. Ye have heard that fame in this country and fame on Earth are two quite different things.”
     “And who are these gigantic people...look! They're like emeralds...who are dancing and throwing flowers before here?”
“Haven't ye read your Milton? A thousand liveried angels lackey her.”
     “And who are all these young men and women on each side?”
“They are her sons and daughters.”
     “She must have had a very large family, Sir.”
“Every young man or boy that met her became her son – even if it was only the boy that brought the meat to her back door. Every girl that met her was her daughter.”
     “Isn't that a bit hard on their own parents?”
“No. There are those that steal other people's children. But her motherhood was of a different kind. Those on whom it fell went back to their natural parents loving them more. Few men looked on her without becoming, in a certain fashion, her lovers. But it was the kind of love that made them not less true, but truer, to their own wives.”
     “And how...but hullo! What are all these animals? A cat-two cats-dozens of cats. And all those dogs...why, I can't count them. And the birds. And the horses.”
“They are her beasts.”
     “Did she keep a sort of zoo? I mean, this is a bit too much.”
“Every beast and bird that came near her had its place in her love. In her they became themselves. And now the abundance of life she has in Christ from the Father flows over into them.”
     I looked at my Teacher in amazement.
“Yes,” he said. “It is like when you throw a stone into a pool, and the concentric waves spread out further and further. Who knows where it will end? Redeemed humanity is still young, it has hardly come to its full strength. But already there is joy enough in the little finger of a great saint such as yonder lady to waken all the dead things of the universe into life.”

So, in that modern fable we have a 'picture' of one of the Great Ones.

Who are you? You are, by Divine grace, one of the Great Ones (as depicted in that fable), or as some call them on earth (and with an eye on the future and humanity's future state), one of the Pre-Greats! Sacred text says the Great Ones will rule as co-workers with the Divine, and be higher and judge angels! And that new Kingdom rule has started!

YOU ARE A GREAT ONE, A PRE-GREAT

You are no worm, no train wreck, not unloved. You have meaning and worth! It is one of the tragedies of this age that many believe that the Divine is aloof, far off, is out to trip them up, and that they are powerless. This is akin to a prince or princess being snatched from the Palace by a jealour, courtier and being brought up as a pauper, unaware of his/her regal power and priveliges.

But, you have an elevated status because of the Divine, a noble origin, an awesome calling and purpose, great power, and an incredible destiny, all because of the Divine 'smile' in and on your life.

That's who you are!

 

Jonathan Tadhg organises Anamcara [literally 'soul friend', spiritual direction] sessions, available wherever you are. For more information, see: http://www.caolait.org/anamcara

DreamTelling: FAQ: What is....

There are some awesome spiritual programs we lead, that you can benefit from. Such as: dream interpretation, inner castle program, angelic encounter sessions.

We thought it might be good to answer a few queries you might have, such as:

 what is 'active imagination' and

what is 'creative visualisation'...

... that are used in inner castle sessions and angelic encounter sessions etc. Some might find these terms unusual and a little foreboding, but we hope, here, to dispel any confusion, as both terms are both natural and supernatural - because you are both natural and supernatural, too!

And some might have concerns that active imagination or creative visualisation may compromise their religious faith, and the following, we hope and pray, will answer any queries you have, and show these 'tools' to be not only acceptable, but very useful and beneficial spiritual tools to aid your spiritual growth and maturity whether you are young, mature, a professional person, an artist, writer etc - whoever you are, you can benefit.

 

In outline:

 

Active Imagination

Active imagination is useful, especially during dream interpretation sessions.  Active imagination occurs when your anamcara, that is, your spiritual teacher,  gently guides you through the dream recollection session, say, and you are reliving or recounting the dream as though it was happening then, again. Active imagination almost runs by itself (in that no person or outside influence directs you), as you speak about the dream. There is no trance; and no hypnosis is used. All that happens is that you relax and are gently encouraged to relive, retell that dream by using a guided,  imaginative process.

In a religious sense, there is no invocation, and those of faith can indulge in creative imagination without compromising their belief. 

Indeed, in the Book, God speaks through and uses dreams a lot. See appendix A below.

In the spiritual sense, a lot is happening (only) because you are a spiritual, supernatural being, and 'wired' up that way by the Divine. And that's amazing, and makes active imagination a powerful, wonderful, safe, and revealing spiritual tool.

 

In the mundane, scientific sense, the psyche is part of 'you', still, and so in that sense using active imagination is entirely natural, if you want to look at it that way, but that's to be expected because you have a 'solid body', too. Nevertheless, even seen in this light, you are an amazing person, 'fearfully and wonderfully made', and are 'wired' up to use your imagination in the 'mundane' world, and so can find out more about yourself.

Active imagination happens all the time. When you're speaking to someone and you miss what they said because your attention 'drifted off' onto something else, or you walk a route home and suddenly realise you've covered a mile and not really been aware of your surroundings because you were thinking about the holiday advert on last nights tv, or you 'rehearse' what you would have liked to say to your boss...all that is creative imagination, and (naturally) is useful and beneficial.

Active imagination then,  is a useful spiritual tool that we all have by the Divine's grace, and can employ at different times, and it work wonders in dream interpretation sessions and other sessions, esepcially when guided by a professional, competent, spiritual teacher - an anamcara.

 

Creative Visualisation

Creative visualisation is similar to active imagination, see above. Your anamcara may guide you more, yes, may set the scene, and narrate different scenarios and ask (more) questions and start/stop the 'script' as you visualise scenarios, but like creative imagination, you are in control. There is no trance, no invocation, no hypnosis.

Creative visualisation is used, mainly, for ambling though the rooms and scenarios in the Inner Castle spiritual program sessions (and these are based on the classic works of Julian of Norwich), and for dream interpretation where only fragments of the dream are recollected or one finds creative imagination difficult.

Some are worried about the term visualisation, bu there is no reason to fear it. In one sense, even movie makers encourage you to use creative visualisation when the movie ends abruptly and you have to figure out exactly what happened. Don't we all like that kind of suspense, and don't we all 'put ourselves' into the movies' story to work it out. 'If I was him/her...I would have...'. and so we all indulge in creative visualisation. Or we might use available facts about the story and try and anticipate the outcome or the next except, or visualise what might happen in real life to a decision we make or words that we use. Visualisation is something we use all the time, but when directed and used as a specific tool it can benefit us wonderfully.

Creative visualisation, then, is another useful spiritual tool, entirely safe, and under your control.

 

When to book? How often?

Some may be confused as to when, how to book. Should one book a series of sessions or book for a one-off session?

Booking for angelic encounter sessions, inner castle sessions or dream sessions (and indeed any other sessions) is easy.

Some spiritual sojourners, like to book on a regular basis, and use their one-to-one sessions as a time of going deeper, and of building on the good work of their last session - it that case it's progressive.

Angelic encounters, and more so inner castle sessions and dream sessions may be used it this way. You'll discover a lot about yourself. In which case, you might like to book several sessions in one go! Maybe one a week, once a month, perhaps?

Others like to book for an angelic encounter or dream session etc because of a specific incident or event, or an upcoming challenge, and then they book one or two sessions allied to that specific need. That works well, too. For instance, when using the inner castle program, instead of working through a myriad of awesome rooms and exploring your inner landscape widely, someone with a specific need, challenge, impending decision or sports competition may like to explore just room - the room of decision, or the room of empowerment, and meet their need there!  In these cases, do book when you have a specific need.

Booking is easy - and to find out which of the awesome spiritual programs might benefit you - do see the link below.

Group seminars, workshops, roadshows and retreats are available.

 

 

The abovementioned explanations relate to spiritual programs organised by Jonathan Tadhg. For more information see: http://www.caolait.org/

Appendix A

Below is a list of verses from the Book illustrating how God communicated with men and women of old, culminating with a verse that promises that, in future, men and women will have dreams of meaning, and visions (even more so, than before). Do check:

God speaks to Abram while he is in a deep sleep (Genesis 15);
God speaks to Abimelech the King of Gerar concerning his intentions regarding Sarah, Abraham's wife (Genesis 20);
Jacob dreams of a ladder to heaven (Genesis 28);
Joseph dreamed of his future success (Genesis 37) and interpreted the dreams of the Pharaoh of Egypt (Genesis 41);
Solomon conversed with God in his dreams (1 Kings 3);
Daniel interpreted dreams (in the Book of Daniel 2 and 4);
the Magi are told in a dream to avoid Herod on their journey home (Matthew 2);
Joseph, when betrothed to Mary, was told not to fear taking Mary as his wife (Matthew 1);
Joseph, now husband of Mary, was directed to flee with Mary and Jesus to Egypt (Matthew 2);
Paul was told to go to Macedonia (Acts 16)
 
In Acts 2:17 the apostle Peter quotes Joel 2:28 saying that because of the Spirit now out poured "...your old men will dream dreams."

All At Sea...

OUR BROKEN ONTOLOGICAL MOORINGS...

There are many ways of looking the human condition: the 'inward' (that is, how we 'feel' inside, our contentedness, happiness, peace etc), the 'outward' (that is, how we relate to the others, to nature, to the cosmos etc), and the 'upward' (that is, how we relate to the Divine, our faith, belief etc).

When any of these are out of balance we suffer a spiritual malaise.

Generally, and societally, it could be said that we all suffer to some extent to having an 'inward' challenge. Rather than live 'within' ourselves, we live externally, and so worry about what others will think of us, we are fearful, and lack peace and joy. It could be said to be a symptom of the age in which we live. Many live with a deep dissatisfaction.

It's as though we're in a storm at sea, and are like a small boat being tossed about, at the mercy of the waves and the wind. We feel helpless. Psychologists would say, our society, has broken its ontological moorings. We are 'adrift'.

That's a summary of society at large, but also on the microcosm scale, the individually scale, many experience this kind of 'being at sea', too. It materialises in deep feelings of fear and confusion. It sometimes produces stress-related ailments, or the overwhelming desire for more and more as the ego asserts itself more and more. It is evident when we ask those 'big' questions and get no answers, such as, 'Is there more to life than this?', 'What is my purpose in life'? 'What is my worth?' 'What does the future hold?' 'Is there life after death?'. And so on. Behind all this is an 'imbalance', a spiritual malaise.

One way to start to rectify this imbalance starts the moment we are aware of it. Ofcourse, if we're unaware of our need or don't name it, the spiritual malaise will continue unabated. Secondly, there are ways to restore the balance to our constituent parts through spiritual exercises and a recognition of our origin, purpose, power and destiny. Ofcourse, ego might rebel against this. Thirdly, because the 'self' can easily be deluded, it is good to have an impartial spiritual director to guide you.

 

Jonathan Tadhg organises events which covers this theme.  For more information see: http://www.caolait.org/anamcara 

Making Green Places

'We cannot make the Kingdom of God happen, but we can put out leaves as it draws near. We can be kind to each other. We can be kind to ourselves. We can drive back the darkness a little. We can make green places within ourselves and among ourselves where God can make his Kingdom happen.'

[Frederick Buechner in 'The Clown In The Belfry']

Trailing Clouds Of Glory

 

Our birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:  
The Soul that rises with us, our life's Star,
Hath had elsewhere its setting,  
And cometh from afar:  
Not in entire forgetfulness,  
And not in utter nakedness,  
But trailing clouds of glory do we come
From God, who is our home:

[Extract, Poem: William Wordsworth,

Ode, Intimations of Immortality from Recollections of Early Childhood]

Arrive Where We Started

We shall not cease from exploration
And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.
Through the unknown, unremembered gate
When the last of earth left to discover
Is that which was the beginning;

[Extract, Poem: T S Eliot, 'The Four Quartets']

Artist: Nicholas Roerich, Wanderer from the Resplendent City, 1933

  

For Times When Nothing Seems To Happen

If you are anything like me, sometimes life takes a sharp turn, and unexpectedly something bad happens. And then maybe something good happens!

Sometimes, it feels like we're in the 'doldrums' and nothing is happening - and to make it worse, it's then that we notice seemingly good things happening to others! (Ofcourse, we don't see those people when they are seemingly in the 'doldrums' and nothing seems to be happening in their life). However, even when things seem not to be happening, maybe it's just our perception that is askew? Jimenez's poem is one that I like - part of which is quoted below:

 

'I have a feeling that my boat has struck, down there in the depths, against a great thing.

And nothing happens!

Nothing…Silence…Waves…Nothing happens? 

Or has everything happened, and are we standing now, quietly, in the new life?

Juan Ramon Jimenez (Trans. Robert Bly)

 

Listen To Your Life...

 'Listen to your life. See it for the fathomless mystery it is. In the boredom and pain of it no less than in the excitement and gladness: touch, taste, smell your way to the holy and hidden heart of it because in the last analysis all moments are key moments, and life itself is grace.'

[Frederick Buechner in 'Now and Then']

 

The Wisdom Of 'Gam Zeh Ya'avor'

Every year millions of people make their resolutions. At that time: new year' eve, or maybe on their birthday or the time of an anniversary many look back. Some have happy thoughts, or some with sorrowful thoughts of ailments or bereavements suffered. And then look towards what the future might hold, and make their resolutions.

What consolation can be offered those who have undergone tough times in the last year or who might still be undergoing tough times? What can be said to those who have had a good, previous, year, or who might still be having a great time?

Here is a story that offers words of wisdom:

One day King Solomon decided to humble Benaiah, his most trusted minister. He said to him, 'Benaiah, I am told there is a certain magic ring, and I want you to bring to me. I wish to wear it for great Feast which gives you six months to find it.'

'If it exists anywhere on earth, your majesty,' replied Benaiah, 'I will find it and bring it to you, but what makes the ring so special?'

'It has magic powers. If a happy man looks at it, he becomes sad, and if a sad man looks at it, he becomes happy.' Solomon replied. Solomon knew that no such ring existed in the world, but he wished to give his minister a little taste of humility. Spring passed and then summer, and still Benaiah had no idea where he could find the ring.

On the night before the great Feast, Benaiah decided to take a walk in one of the poorest quarters of Jerusalem. He passed by a merchant who had begun to set out the day's wares on a old carpet. 'Have you by any chance heard of a magic ring that makes the happy wearer forget his joy and the broken-hearted wearer forget his sorrows?' asked Benaiah. He watched the old man take a plain gold ring from his carpet and engrave something on it.

When Benaiah read the words on the ring, his face broke out in a wide smile. That night the entire city welcomed in the holiday of the great Feast with great rejoicing. 'Well, my friend,' said Solomon, 'have you found what I sent you after?' All the ministers laughed and Solomon himself smiled.

To everyone's surprise, Benaiah held up a small gold ring and declared, 'Here it is, your majesty!' As soon as Solomon read the inscription, the smile vanished from his face. The jeweller had written three Hebrew letters on the gold band: gimel, zayin, yud, which began the words 'Gam zeh ya'avor', meaning 'This too shall pass.'

 

At that moment Solomon realised that all his wisdom and fabulous wealth and tremendous power were but fleeting things, for one day he would be nothing but dust.

You see, we look back in time, we look forward and imagine, in time, what night be! We use time, we mark time, we kill time, we assume things will always stay the same, or at least we hope so. But it won't. That sounds negative, but it isn't. If we're honest we know things change. Ofcourse, my prayer for you is that if you're having a great time, that it continues for a long(er) time. But, things do change.

Bearing in mind the story. If we're having a great time - then rejoice and accept it, and give God thanks, now. Revel in the good times, learn from it, enjoy it. It will pass. Knowing this, will encourage us to be grateful and not to take things for granted.

If we've had a tough year or maybe still are having a tough time - then rejoice, now, for the wisdom encapsulated in that story declares that it too will pass. Knowing this will give us hope, the hope of change, it will give us encouragement and positivity. Nothing, except God, on this earth stays the same.

It's like this:

1. When things are going well, rejoice,  for 'this too shall pass', and tough times may arise. See 2 below

2. When things are tough, rejoice, for 'this too shall pass', and better times may arise. See 3 below

3. Go back to 1 above.

'Behind' this wisdom, behind it all is the all-powerful God who is outside time and yet within, and has mastery over  it. So, whatever you are experiencing do take to heart the wisdom of 'gam zeh ya'avor': this too shall pass.

 
 

Tadhg Jonathan is a seanachai, a story-teller, and also organises sessions called 'telling places' which deal with healing, growth and maturity through story-telling, For more information about his seanachai or story-telling activities, see: http://www.caolait.org/celebrant or see: http://www.caolait.org/tellingplaces

Understanding The Liminal

Liminal space (or sacred space) is where things happen. It is where God is at work. It is when you are in between your old comfort zone and any potential new answer.

Think of Israel wandering in the desert, Joseph in the pit, or Jonah in the belly of the big fish. Some try to induce liminal space or replicate it, some avoid it out of fear. It occurs when we let go, and let God.

So, embrace the liminal, but avoid the 'liminoid'. The liminoid 'experience' is 'almost' sacred space. Liminoid experience is a poor substitute - changing group thinking, engineering feelings, giving mass reassurance and group membership instead of any real or significant personal transformation, that's the liminoid.

Inside liminal space (or 'thin places' or 'caol ait' [pronounced 'kweel awtch'], as the ancient celts of Britian called them) you feel indestructible, yet feel vulnerable, you stand in awe.

In them, you can imagine an alternative universe and appreciate the 'mundane' in new ways; you 'see' people more akin as God sees them; you can - if you can dare imagine it - hear the heartbeat of God. Why would anyone avoid liminal (sacred) space and settle for less and so miss significant personal transformation?

  
 

Tadhg Jonathan organises events on this theme. For more information see: http://www.caolait.org/meditation101