Dear Reader,
If you have read my previous blogposts, you know that I have transcendental spiritual experiences. Many call them “mystical”, although I often shy away from use of that word. I was raised in the Roman Catholic faith and mystics were always identified as saints, with whom I do not feel comfortable comparing myself. Nevertheless, it is a correct description.
I also know that I am not alone with this. Other everyday people of Western culture, like me, have these experiences but most have not shared them in biographical form. Many of the saints, and a very few (that I could find) Western contemporaneous mystics, like Evelyn Underhill and Cynthia Bourgeault, have. But the late Underhill and current Canadian Episcopal bishop, Bourgeault were/are deeply committed to their faiths. I have respectfully foregone organized religion and consider myself to be a layperson.
Nevertheless, I am blessed with these transcendental spiritual experiences.
Since I am quite convinced that I am not alone in this, my intent is to bring comfort and peace to my fellow laypersons (though all are welcome!) who may be experiencing something similar.
The following entries into my notes, after having two experiences following my recent hospitalization, are samples of what will be included in my book, “Visions, Visitations, and The Voice: My Intimate Journey with the Sacred”.
Late May, 2024
Exactly 4 weeks after I was taken by ambulance to the emergency department on May 2, I had my first spiritual experience. I noticed that I had not received any for the entire time I was hospitalized (11 days and nights) but this first one came on a Thursday, the same day of the week that I fell deathly ill with septic shock.
This first experience was very a simple one of the familiar feeling of limpness, but eventually I heard “I love you” from the Sacred. I was so overwhelmed with the depth and directness of that statement (the first time I heard these exact words, in my memory) that I burst into tears. This was a deep, chest-heaving cry from within. Although I frequently tear-up when I have these experiences, this was, to my recollection, the first time that I cried aloud.
As always, I thanked the Sacred repeatedly, and awoke.
A Few Days Later….
It is now Saturday, June 1, 2024.
I had been searching online for a photograph that I could use for my new website. I decided that I wanted an image of sunbeams, in a bucolic setting ideally with a pathway depicted. I was struggling a bit to find the ideal photo because all of those I found did not portray the kind of warmth that I associate with my experiences, and I wanted the image to be a metaphor for them. I had seen a few images that had a pink tint to them that I liked but were not ideal. I wondered if those photos had been taken at sunrise or sunset.
Much to my delight, as I was a bit later watching the news on television, I felt the familiar sensation of becoming limp and turned off the TV to give the visit my full attention. My eyes closed.
It was unremarkable at first, but I then felt the sense of warmth and love that I had so many times before. This time, though, I heard a single word: “Sunset”. I had teared up prior to hearing the word, but then I became acutely aware of my tears. The word was repeated a few times and I was overcome with a sense of gratitude. I quickly awoke and realized that I had just been given guidance on how to choose my website photo.
Not wanting to lose the inspiration, I immediately went back online and searched for a photo of sunbeams at sunset. Within minutes, I found what I wanted. It even had a pathway.
Again, my dear Readers,
Can you relate to this? If so, please share with all of us!
Gratefully,
Ann
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