Apophatic prayer comes from the Greek apophatikos, which essentially means “without images or concepts.” This kind of prayer lets go of reason, imagination, feelings, and will. And in this way, our encounter with God is unmediated. It is a naked mode of prayer—being to being or essence to essence without filtration through the thinking or affective mind. . . .
Phileena Heuertz 

Preconceived images and concepts. At times, such are comforting and create easy ways to cope. At others, they limit and constrict reality into such small spaces that we are actually left in the dark more than we realize. 

Apophatic prayer comes from the Greek apophatikos, which essentially means “without images or concepts.” This kind of prayer lets go of reason, imagination, feelings, and will. And in this way, our encounter with God is unmediated. It is a naked mode of prayer—being to being or essence to essence without filtration through the thinking or affective mind. . . .

Apophatic prayer is rooted in the doctrine of the divine indwelling (Luke 17:21; John 7:38, 14:3; Romans 8:10-11; 1 Corinthians 6:15-20; Galatians 2:20). While God is transcendent, God is also immanent, and chooses to dwell within us. Contemplative spirituality helps us realize God’s presence within Heuertz

Oh how wide and marvelous reality can be if we will allow ourselves to experience beyond the limitations of humanity. 

I think it is my desire to go beyond such that encourages my desire to create. May the creativity I experience be a witness to that which is beyond my human reality. 

Yearning

Yearning...“...well-being is not in isolation but relation.”  (Julian of Norwich)That, I believe is my yearning. I long for connection. I believe that’s why I minister, provide chaplaincy. It is an opportunity to join with others in their most vulnerable moments where we both open ourselves to each other. 

It’s not always that way, though. There are those who are so isolated they can only find solace in the determination that they are completely all that is necessary. They cannot allow me to enter their pain with them and be a part of it with them. 

I understand this desire may stem from my own personal life’s lack of relation with some of those I love. (Olsen)  I know that if I am to be a part of another’s joy and pain, I must recognize my own. I must not allow the isolation within me prevent my recognition of another’s, or my ability to be open to the movement of the Spirit between us. 

Living with lack of connection with ones I love seems to be the seed of my own perceived isolation. I have yearned so long for an honest, mutual connection. So long, it seems, that I no longer feel the yearning. Just sadness. Grief. At times, defeat. 

How do I allow the true connections I do have fill that unfulfilled yearning?