September 26, 2023 -A

Watkins Glen Falls 10/20/2015 Oil Paint Rendered — Watkins Glen State Park, New York
There are places that are sacred to us,
beyond reason, question or doubt.
Parker Palmer calls them "thin places."
Joseph Campbell would say they are
"Transparent to transcendence."
The enliven us, 
and remind us
that there is more to it all 
than meets the eye.
there is an inexplicable,
irrational,
illogical side of physical existence
that defy words...
"The way of a ship on the sea,
The way of a snake upon a rock,
The way of a man with a woman..."

There is a holy side to life
that transports us to a state of being
might be described as
"One with the cosmos."
"Aligned with the way."
"At one with the Tao."
"At peace with all things."
"Glad to be here/now."

The moments that stand apart for us
are sacred moments,
beyond the reach of theology,
doctrine,
dogma
and creed.

Their primary characteristic
is that there is nothing artificial
about them.
They are authentic experiences
with the truth of life
incapable of being produced/created/manufactured
at will, 
but always possible at any moment.

Knowing that keeps us alert to its presence,
aware that any time
might be the time of transportation
from the mundane and profane
into the wonder and rapture of more than words can say.

Holiness is the fundamental state
of life in the world of physical reality
for those with eyes to see,
looking for the door to open,
that they might walk through
into another thin place
that is transparent to transcendence,
here and now. 

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Published by jimwdollar

I'm retired, and still finding my way--but now, I don't have to pretend that I know what I'm doing. I retired after 40.5 years as a minister in the Presbyterian Church USA, serving churches in Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina. I graduated from Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, in Austin, Texas, and Northwestern State University in Natchitoches, Louisiana. My wife, Judy, and I have three daughters, five granddaughters, one great granddaughter, and a great grandson on the way, within about ten minutes from where we live--and are enjoying our retirement as much as we have ever enjoyed anything.

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