Divinity, I believe, is both Immanent and Transcendent. Big words that simply mean that God lives as a Divine Spark within our hearts as well as an overarching power for Goodness. Human beings continue to try and understand and tap into the vastness of this powerful force that influences our lives, and with which we cultivate a deeper relationship when we pray.

Holy Spirit. Higher Self. Divine Wisdom. Regardless of the name you choose, encased within the flesh and bones of our existence is a wise essence that serves to protect, heal and light our way. It is that part of ourselves that we call forward during prayer, surrender into during challenging times, and turn to when we are trying to make sense of something that we simply cannot comprehend.

In Catholic / Christian traditions the Holy Spirit serves as intercessor between Divinity and humanity, a kind of Spiritual Activator breathing life into our prayers and carrying them into the Heart of the Divine. The HS is typically depicted as a Dove which has become the universal symbol of Peace. HS. Holy Spirit. Higher Self.

Prayer impacts both the one prayed for and the one praying.

While each religion, both formal and informal, may refer to the Divine by different names, and offer prayer in different ways, it is my belief that the Divine Creator is big enough to encompass all belief systems. Prayer brings us in closer alignment with the overarching Good that we who are more spiritually curious continue to work on understanding more deeply and connecting with more fully. Prayer impacts both the one prayed for and the one praying.

Part of why we incarnate into these human bodies is to be in service to one another. Some of us do that through raising little humans. Others through being Aunties and Uncles, Grandparents, Foster Parents, Mentors, Neighbors, Teachers, or Coaches. Still others choose a vocation of service such as being a Religious Leader, a Community Organizer, participating in community service projects, contributing or even starting their own charity. Some of us serve the homeless through offering food, visiting people in prison, in care facilities, or who are homebound. Still others offer a compassionate heart through listening to stories and treating others with respect and dignity, and through offering prayer for those we care for and those in need of a little extra.

The beauty about being human is that we help each other ignite that Divine Spark within through how we show up. Sometimes we are the ones who offer prayers, and sometimes we are the ones being prayed for. There is a reciprocity in both Giving and Receiving. A Course in Miracles tells us that Giving and Receiving are One. In other words, when we Give, we too Receive. We feel good. And Receiving Well is a gift we offer back to the Giver completing the cycle.

2020 has offered us many opportunities to dive more deeply into who we are and what we believe. It has called us forward in ways that test the very essence of who we are, putting our belief systems to the test in unimaginable ways.

We have been invited to surrender into the dark of a deep unknowing and sit there for a while.

There is something about lighting a candle in the dark has the power to immediately drop me into Sacred space.

We are more than midway through two of the most Sacred celebrations of Light and Hope, Hannukah and the Advent Season, a time of preparation leading us into Christmas. This time of year offers a juxtaposition of dark and light which plays out within the fabric of our religious stories.

And now the Holy Season of Peace, Joy and Hope is upon us. Isn’t it curious that this Sacred season takes place during the darkest time of the year. Hannukah and Christmas are celebrations of light and hope. Both take place in the dark. Hannukah is the celebration of the Miracle of Light. A time following an intense desecration of the Holy tabernacle when a small amount of oil from the lamp of re-consecration stayed lit for 8 days. In commemoration of this Miracle a candle is lit for each of the 8 days of Hannukah. For me there is something about lighting a candle in the dark has the power to immediately drop me into a Sacred space. Light in the dark. Solemn. Quiet. Sacred. One small light offering itself as a single focus of illumination in the darkness. It just gets me every time!