Recently, as I reread Mary Hunt’s chapter, “Embracing Impasse and Her Sisters” (pp 97-107), it became for me not a reliving of the rich experience of the Circle’s gatherings but an invitation to “walk” further into the contemplative journey as it seems Mary has done.

During her participation in the Circles, Mary decided to “consciously and happily suspend judgment” and in her case to “participate fully in rituals” not only during the gatherings but also in her own women-church group. As a result, she relates that she is “getting better at letting go of the analytic piece so I can participate in worship and draw on it for critical reflection.”

A little further on in the chapter Mary refers to a guided meditation that was part of one of the gatherings. The meditation invited us to “walk down unexplored paths.” As Mary has taken actual walks through unknown parts of her neighborhood, her words invite me to re-enter such unexplored inner paths in moments of quiet reflection.

Mary’s reflection challenges me to take the risk of suspending judgment or “letting go” of the usual, comfortable paths on my inner journeys and open myself to the possibility of new vistas and deeper imaginings.

With Mary I might be ready to say:

“I crave silence now. I want more time to attend to my breathing and let my conscious mind take a rest. I do it in the oddest places….With practice, the concerns of the moment melt into the energy of the universe.”

I invite you to walk with us along unexplored paths – actual paths in the neighborhoods of your life or those inner paths that sometimes require even greater risk-taking. Take a few moments to enter the silence and let:

the concerns of the moment
melt
into the energy of the universe.

Let your imagination take you
into that energy . . .

What is it like?
swirling and vigorous?
serene and tranquil?

How does it feel?
can you smell it?
does it have the taste of
sweet spring raindrops
can you hear them fall
caressing the petals
of newest blossoms?

What is it
you hear
when the energy of the universe
catches your concerns
in its deep silence?


If you wish you may send your reflection to circles@engagingimpasse.org. If you give us permission, a part of your reflection may be incorporated into a future Book Club entry.


Written by Mary Jo Klick

© Institute for Communal Contemplation and Dialogue 2008
Reprint with permission circles@engagingimpasse.org

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