Even though my own spiritual view has become simpler and more and more a “state of being” where one is calm and empty inside and clear and open and joyful, this constant in my life, that is, a return to sacred spaces and occasionally studying Catholic Saints (though I was raised Protestant) is shared, it seems, by Rupert Sheldrake, who I listen to occasionally and was glad to catch this particular talk (below). My favorite saint is Saint Francis and I’ve read a dozen books about him.
I feel closest to God in Nature and spend an hour a day there. I find this more important now than ever because of the infinite directions that technology and the latest spiritual podcasters are taking us. Rather than allowing myself to become confused by it all, I am grounded by the beauty and awe inspired by Nature. And yes, consciousness is fundamental and I haven’t sorted out yet how much is real and unreal and I think we have barely 20% free will.
One of the first things I do when I arrive somewhere is head to a beautiful or ancient church. I know every old church in central Santa Fe and some on the High road to Taos. I like the old missions in California and Arizona. I’ve done retreats at a few Buddhist centers, and a few at some Catholic monasteries. When I feel a special energy about a place, for me, I’d describe it as “peace”. I’ve felt it in Sedona at their Stupa Peace Park, and occasionally I feel it while hiking. It co-exists with quiet and a palpable stillness. I felt it at Tassajara when I visited the memorial of Suzuki Roshi and a fawn was there at the same time. The fawn had no fear of me, the setting was extremely quiet, still, and peaceful.
I think that devotion is one of the highest states, but so is awe of beauty in Nature. You can go tiny and tinier, like when studying a flower, or you can go larger and larger like when viewing the night sky. And churches and the study of saints and services and hymns all inspire devotion, not to mention the power of people who congregate together for the greater good.
So that is my preview of why this video resonated. I’d love to visit the remote and abandoned churches of Britain and I follow some great Instagram posters who do just that so I get to armchair travel and marvel just the same. But sadly, I’ve never been to Britain.
Youtube description of the following video:
Saints and genii locorum, or spirits of place, are the names in various wisdom traditions given to guardian beings who protect, assist and inspire. So what does it mean to call on these sacred beings? In this episode of the Sheldrake-Vernon Dialogues, Rupert Sheldrake and Mark Vernon discuss the role of patron saints who are associated with churches and shrines, days and names. What powers might figures from Saint Mary to Saint Nicolas bring to us? How do we call upon them and how is their presence understood? Rupert and Mark explore the ways in which saints connect heaven and earth in individual lives, particular places and at various times of the year.
On an overlapping note, I’m adding a second video, “Holy Places” by Sheldrake which I also enjoyed listening to.
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