Giving the earth a massage
21 May 2008 by Sandy, csj
OK, this may seem to be a little too “crunchy granola-ish,” but keep in mind that in my CLC group, we are in the 4th Week of the Ignatian Spiritual Exercises…
My house mate has a list of spring chores that need to be done around the house, and I received my first introduction to a tool called a dethatching rake. So I’ve been finding a little time over the space of several days to dethatch the lawn. I’ve come to think of this process as giving the earth a massage. Somehow makes what might otherwise seem like drudgery have a bit more meaning to one like me who is not particularly into gardening and yard work (probably because of allergies and back pain).
Oh, Sandy, I just love your idea of giving the earth a massage! This helps me look at weeding a different way. It’s not quite a massage though. I will think more about it later today when I return to it.
Congratulations for being in the Fourth Week
Claire, I’m not an eyebrow plucker myself, but maybe we could think of weeding as something like that for Gaia?
What a beautiful perspective!
I have been trying to find out about the Ignatian exercises ~ it sounds wonderful. Will you tell us more about it, Sandy? Please?
Sure, Pippa…I will try to say a little more about the exercises in upcoming posts. The best thing, though, is to experience them directly, under the guidance of a spiritual director.
Absolutely agreed that a spiritual director is best, Sandy. Really blessed you are!
I hope the exercises bring you light and the deep, intimate awareness of God’s presence!
What an awesome and inspiring concept! I find it to be a really powerful image and a strong invitation to nurture the earth’s soul, to go beyond the cosmetic to the essential core.