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Reflecting on Divine
Presence
in Our Lives
by
Lucia Capacchione, Ph.D., A.T.R. |
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In this time of great natural disasters all over the globe, and of
devastating world conflict, I am finding great solace by turning inward and reflecting on
Divine Presence in my life. We can only control nature to a certain point.
Recent calamities around the globe have taught us that lesson. And we can only
influence politics and world events through external activity, like voting and
community action, up to a point.
I have talked to so many people of late who feel dispirited by world events,
by war, politics, revelations of greed and corruption. People of all ages seem
to be falling into despondency. I am no exception. After watching any news
show on TV, it is easy to get depressed. The news is usually bad. Good things
are happening, to be sure. But they don't seem to make it to the television
screen. I have friends who simply will not watch television news any longer. It's
too depressing. They will get their "news of the world" elsewhere, but not
there.
In these difficult times, one thing we can all do is focus our attention
inward. Not to the exclusion of living in the world. No, turning inward is not to
be used as an escape. Rather it is a way to balance ourselves and stay
centered in our soul life. Going within can refresh us and help us take charge of our
reactions to the world around us.
My favorite ways to turn inward are through meditation, journaling and
inspirational reading. One form of meditation that helps me get centered is to
repeat the words:
"I choose to experience Divine Presence now."
As I sit quietly and repeat this mantra, my mind tends to quiet down as I
take in the meaning of the words. This can be a wonderful meditation.
It is also helpful to remember this phrase throughout the day. Especially
when things are getting hectic and the outer world has pulled heavily on our
energy and spirit.
"I choose to experience Divine Presence now. "
Just repeat those words silently to yourself. You can even put little flash
cards or post-its around with that sentence printed on them. Put them in your
organizer book, on the wall, next to your computer, on your desk, in the car.
I also find that reading what others have said about Divine Presence is
immensely recharging. One of my favorite books is The Practice of the Presence of
God, a classic spiritual text by Brother Lawrence. A simple, uneducated monk,
he experienced Divine Presence in the most ordinary acts of daily life such as
chopping food in the monastery kitchen. The God-intoxicated, ecstatic poems of
Hafiz and Rumi are also great for transporting us back to our spiritual
essence. Living in the Presence of God, by John Allan, is a contemporary gem and a
favorite of mine. And another classic, Letters of the Scattered Brotherhood,
edited by Mary Strong, is filled with reminders of Spirit working in our lives.
Gerald Jamplosky's, Shortcuts to God, is also a treasure.
Journaling about Divine Presence has also been a great refuge for me when the
outer world seems overwhelming. Some do this in a gratitude journal. If you
already keep a journal, this could be a separate for Reflections on Divine
Presence. This is a place to contemplate all the ways in which we experience
Divine Presence in our lives. It often starts with writing down all the things we
are grateful for. The people who bless us with their love and support. The
places that give us safety and comfort. The work we do that graces us and the
lives of others. The financial and emotional support that flows to us through
others.
The journal is also a wonderful place to record special experiences in sacred
or holy places. I often reflect on my many trips to Assisi, the home of
Francis and Clare, where I feel a profound Divine Presence. Just
remembering walking the streets and hillside forests there, or visiting the places where these
great beings are buried and where they prayed, gives me great comfort. I can
think of parks, beaches and other places in nature where Divine Presence has been
powerful and unmistakable. We each have our pilgrimage experiences, places
we've been where we felt Divine Presence as tangibly as we feel our own hand.
These are worth remembering from time to time.
Another way to get spiritually centered is to create a photo collage
depicting our experience of Divine Presence. This makes it tangible and projects
something back to us - a feeling, a mood, a heart's desire. Many people who have
used my Visioning® method are now focusing on inner peace and love and on world
peace. They know that world peace will come about from the inside out, from
each of us continuing to wake up more and more to Divine Presence in our lives.
For more details on the Visioning® method, go to: http://www.soufuliving.com/visioning.htm.
Magazine photos collages of Divine Presence will be different for everyone.
One person may show pictures of nature, meditation gardens, animals, etc.
Others might focus on people and even include snap shots of loved ones. The point
is to create an illustration of how, when and where YOU experience Divine
Presence. If you have never practiced awareness of Divine Presence in your life, or
you have forgotten to do it, such a collage is a wonderful "visual
affirmation." Take a photo of it. Carry it around. Scan it into your computer.
Create a Divine Presence altar and mount your collage as a background. Place
objects on your altar that have spiritual significance for you. Use it the
collage as a focus for meditation and contemplation. Remind yourself to honor the
divinity that resides within your own heart and soul.
© Copyright 2005 Lucia Capacchione.
All Rights Reserved.
Lucia Capacchione, Ph.D, A.T.R, is an internationally known art therapist,
corporate consultant, trainer and best-selling author of 12 books including,
Recovery of Your Inner Child, The Creative Journal, and The Power of Your
Other Hand and her new title, Visioning: Ten Steps to Designing the Life of
Your Dreams (Tarcher/Putnam).
Dr. Capacchione conducts public workshops and trains professionals
internationally through her Creative Journal Expressive Arts Certification
Program. Her books have been translated into several languages and her work
has been endorsed by such experts in the health field as Joan
Borysenko, Bernie Siegel, Louise Hay, Gerald Jampolsky and Norman Cousins.
Recognized for her ground-breaking discovery of the healing power of
writing and drawing with the non-dominant hand, Dr. Capacchione is a pioneer
in healing and recovery through expressive arts. She has been the subject of
many magazine and newspaper articles and frequent guest on radio and
television. She is director of the Creative Journal Expressive Arts
certification training program for professionals.
An inspiring speaker, workshop leader and director of spiritual retreats,
Dr. Capacchione engages audiences with playful, hands-on experiences. Widely
acclaimed for her ability to catalyze innate creativity and inner wisdom, her
methods are being applied in education, medicine, mental
health, the arts and the entertainment industry.
Website address: www.luciac.com
P.O. Box 1355, Cambria, CA 93428 USA
Phone: (805) 546-1424
More Books by Lucia
Capacchione:
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