Sr. Nicole and turtle. Turtle is on her way to lay her eggs.

                 Our Staff                       
    
      Sr. Anne            Rowena             Sr. Nicole    

It is only with the eyes of the heart that one sees what is essential says some saint from long ago. It is easy to repeat sayings attributed to famous or supposedly holy people but when push comes to shove it is often quite a different matter to live the wisdom contained in such sayings. Most wise adages are born from struggle with pain and suffering. They come from people who have embraced various spiritual practices in order to make sense of their lives and to grow into peace. Most of us recognize the truth in these sayings but find it external to our everyday experiences.

This time of year can be a wonderful reminder of this reality. On the one hand, the natural world seems to be awakening, celebrating the return of the sun with its warmth and light. The snow geese return to their northern homes and the song birds fill the air with wonderful sound. On the other hand, snow and cold are reluctant to leave. Their continuing presence mocks our inner longing for spring and its increasing warmth that invites us to outdoor activities. It is a conundrum that requires our attention lest we yield to the frustration and anguish which it triggers.

Perhaps the most we can do with the varying emotions that these contradictory realities trigger off is simply to notice what arises and to welcome each and every one. As we take that one step away from an intense experience of emotion by simply noticing it and all that it contains we are born into a different experience of ourselves. It is the experience of the real self that is always there beneath and throughout the varying feelings and moods which sometimes besiege us.

As we become more familiar with our real self we learn to perceive everything from a different perspective. We enter the flow of life just as the birds and other parts of the natural world. Despite appearances we sense the reality beneath; we perceive what is true and real as our inner senses develop. This ability to take one step back from experiences that could make us captives and victims is available to every human being; to simply watch one’s self is our key to inner freedom. It is a wonder to behold and an even greater wonder to practice. 
                                                                                       -Rowena Fay