Through A Looking Glass

When Was The Last Time Something Brought You To A Complete Stop?

When was the last time something brought you to a complete stop?

Was it awe inspiring? Or, was it awful.

Did you cry out? Or, did you become more quiet, careful?

And when you could respond, how did you respond? Was looking, gazing, contemplating all you could do? All that was required?

Did you look around for another witness? For help? Did you study it, try to understand what it was exactly you were seeing?

What have you been left with? What remains? More wonder? Gratitude? More vulnerability? Fear? More empathy? A prayer? More love?

This scene in the video above halted me in my tracks.  I am on what has turned out to be my annual 8-day silent retreat just off the rocks on the east coast. I was walking inside and looking out through a window – into a garden enclosed by a stone wall – directly opposite the ocean. It felt like an invitation – to walk right up to – or through the looking glass – a glass darkly – sparkling with light.

My first thoughtful reaction was, could it be a mirror? An art installation perhaps? And then I realized it was a reflection, a timely fleeting gift of a reflection that reached my attention in a moment.

I so desired to record it before it passed. And it did pass. And it returned, just as briefly the next sunny day. I wanted other witnesses to this wonder. I couldn’t wait to share it even though the video does not do justice to the experience. 

Eventually, it didn’t take me long, I saw the cross, true to habit. What was my feeling then? It was, “Don’t forget. As you pass, there is still suffering. As well as great beauty.”

Write me an email sharing your own experience of being brought to a complete stop.