Something to Ponder • REVEREND MARY WHITE
Jesus Takes A Selfie – The Naked Pastor
Stay safe. Stay connected.
Blessings and the strength of Love be with you.
Rev. Mary,
revmjwhite@hotmail.ca
Reading Excerpt from “Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom” by John O'Donohue
The Kalyana-Mitra
The Buddhist tradition has a lovely concept of friendship, the notion of the Kalyana-mitra, the “noble friend.” Your Kalyana-mitra, your noble friend, will not accept pretension but will gently and very firmly confront you with your own blindness. No one can see his life totally. As there is a blind spot in the retina of the human eye, there is also in the soul a blind side where you are not able to see. Therefore, you must depend on the one you love to see for you what you cannot see for yourself. Your Kalyana-mitra complements your vision in a kind and critical way.
Unfortunately, there is no mirror in the world where you can catch a glimpse of your soul. You cannot even see your own body completely. If you look behind you, the front of your body is out of view. You can never be fully visually present to yourself. The one you love, your anam ċara, your soul friend, is the truest mirror to reflect your soul. The honesty and clarity of true friendship also brings out the real contour of your spirit. It is beautiful to have such a presence in your life.
Prayer
Thoughtful Giver,
We are grateful for soul friends.
Who come hoping for justice, yearning for light.
with warm tears and laughter, telling the truth, sharing our lives.
Thank you,
thank you for Advent,
thank you for mystery,
thank you for life.
Amen