Keating's Death

I was saddened to hear of Thomas Keating's death yesterday.  I first ran into his writings some years ago when his work was referenced in a book I was reading for a class.  At the time it seemed kind of exotic and compelling but not something I felt I could make as much time for.  Then as time passed it became more and more clear that my stress and anxiety levels were getting to be very intense and I needed to do something about them for my health's sake.  As long as I needed a meditation practice to help me deal with stress it seemed eminently practical to combine worship with meditation, so I was more interested in Keating's teachings than in secular meditation practices.  Meditation has made a big contribution to my mental well being and I've been grateful to Keating for his beautiful writing on the subject.  As I've grown interested in other angles of spiritual practice and thought I've kept running into Keating again and again.  It seems his impact on the world was large enough that I couldn't quite get away from him.

Keating's writings have helped me not only with meditation but also in helping me understand my overall spiritual life path.  There have been special moments where I realize there are names and traditions that help to explain my experiences and that help me know mentally what to do with them and recognize the good parts of them that I couldn't have found as easily without his help.  I've been very greatful for everything he has offered in life and am saddened to realize he is gone on to be with God.  I hope the afterlife is as delightful as he imagined it.

The Candle in the Silence

We were some of the last people to leave church today and my six year old ran into the chapel just before we left.  I had a moment to contemplate the sanctuary lamp before we left.  For context, this is the candle always kept burning before the reserved Eucharist elements to commemorate the presence of god in the sanctuary.  Enjoying that sacred moment while being aware of the condescending attitude towards Ex Mormons that is routinely expressed in General Conference led to me writing a poem to explore the beauty of that moment along with the the pain I always feel around this time of year knowing people I care about are being taught to think ill of me.

The Candle in the Silence

The candle is in the silence,
The ghost of incense remains.
The music has all gone quiet.
Outside, the words of fear persist.

The candle is in the presence,
The Spirit of prayer remains.
The music of soul is silent.
Outside, the words of fear persist.

The candle is in the silence,
The Spirit of God remains.
The music of silence is ardent.
Outside, the words of fear persist.

The candle of silence is brilliant,
The Spirit of Love invades.
Life’s music and joy is fervent.
Outside, the words of fear persist.