Communion
June 10, 2016 § 17 Comments
Standing before the ocean, I felt the rhythm of the natural world.
The waves relentlessly marched towards shore. Forming their swells, then peaking and crashing. All the movement seemed forward and aggressive.
But I looked again as the waves broke. When the frothy wave reached its furthest purchase, it began its return, gently sliding back to the sea. Back to its source.
Crashing forward, sliding back. Forward, back. Repeated endlessly.
Opposed motion, each existing apart from the other, each dependent on the other. The advancing waves would cease if the retreating water did not return, just as the receding movement could not arise without the crashing wave that gives it birth.
This rhythm, this pattern, recurs across the sweep of our endless natural world. It is in the wind and the tide, the trajectory of the sun, the garden out back. It is embodied in our breath and in the coil of life’s journey.
I often lose this sense of connection and oneness. Falling away, I am lost and adrift.
But when I take and hold this communion, when the truth of this lives in my bones, I feel safe and at peace. As I did this day, surrounded by the natural world and the others I love.
I also find much comfort in nature….it shows me beauty, resilience and strength. My connection to it brings me such joy.
“It is in the wind and the tide, the trajectory of the sun, the garden out back.”
Your words are fresh as sea spray, and soft as sand underfoot.
Good to hear from you, Natalie.
Your poetry continues to enchant and provoke. Happy to see that you have continued to write and share.
Tom
Beautiful, as always, Thomas. Thank you.
Thank you, Michael, for your kind words.
Tom
Haven’t seen you for some time Thomas, welcome back.
Thanks, Jude. Good to write and post again.
Tom
Beautifully said. Ebb& flow-it is all part of the divine. ❤️
Brenda,
The rhythm is the divine, for me.
Good to find these kind words from you here.
Tom
Quite beautiful, Thomas.
Thank you, Hariod.
So generous of you to take the time to read my words and leave your kind thoughts here.
Tom
You’re very welcome, Tom; it’s good to see you showing a little more of your work here.
This simply comes to mind:
Can one lose something which cannot be gained?
And this intriguing question above spawns the inevitable
perplexity:
WHO wants to be lost and adrift after all…?
Yes, Julien, this is something we have spoken of before.
“Lost” suggests something that could be found or gained. But that in turn suggests that the point is to struggle to find or to gain or to “hold” that thing. But the “oneness” and “communion” are like the rain and the wind, simply there.
I guess I struggle to let go of the very idea of struggle. We’ll see.
Tom
In my case, the antidote against regret is more regret. So with sorrow. And as this suggests, with struggle too.
Meaning, of course, that struggling to let go of struggle is thwarting Oneness.
As long as the Idea is there – idea being a synonym for “me” – there will be a subtle or gross resistance against natural connectedness. 😉
Thanks Thomas. …welcome back.
Jonathan,
Good to be back.
Thanks for sticking with me.
Tom