This morning I woke up meditating on what it would be like to experience the ecstacy of the Divine. Last night I read an article on Saint Philip Neri, the Joyful, Apostle of Rome. I love to hear about people's defining experiences of the presence of God. Here is Philip's " One of his favorite retreats was the catacombs of Saint sebastian, where he would stay for hours in silent contemplation. It was during a visit to the catacombs that the central spiritual experience of his life occurred. As he sat praying to the HOly Spirit, he saw a globe of fire coming swiftly toward him from above. IT entered him through his mouth and on reaching his heart, began expanding, filling his whole being with flames of divine bliss, setting him on fire with love for God and all people. Thereafter, whenever he prayed, the heat of that inner fire remained with him; his heart actually enlarged, and the heartbeat intensified: it is said that it literally shook the furniture in his room with its vibrations. At times he would be so overwhelmed with bliss that he would cry out, Non ki piu, Dio Mio, "No more, my God! I am only a mortal man."
The effects of his experience were more than symbolic. When he pressed the anxious heads of troubled, tormented people to his heart, they would be filled with peace.
I love this reading. It reminds me that we all have this possibility within us. And I believe that we have all had our own experiences of the profound joy of God. Only we tend to give credit to mundane occurances: falling in love, eating great ice cream, having a fewa drinks and so on. My teachers have all said that what these experiences do is to silence our minds so that who we really are comes to the fore.
Meditation class came from a place far beyond my consciuos mind. The divine was in the room with us. I cried. MKate cried. Every one experienced that deep state when you come into contact with the Truth. Wow. I am so lucky and so blessed.
Then I went home to rest. Carl was working on the trees, repeating his mantras. I could feel the holiness.
Mkate and I went shopping. We went to Costco. I have been thinking of becoming a member. The fee is $50.00, so I'd have to know I'd get my $$$$ worth. I was particularly interested in the vacs. We gave our good vac to Rain and Ryan, now that we have new carpeting . . . we need a vac. MKate has the all amazing Dison with roller ball--the elite of vacs. I have the money on my little Monavie card (from when I did the business), but is that how I want to spend it? I feel like I could get a Hoover for $150. and save the rest for Christmas. Dison's are upwards of $550. Yes, good vacs, elite vacs are expensive.
I tasted primo cheese cake (Costco always gives out samples). I bought great asparagus (almost reason enough to join), but I don't know? Would I really go more than a few times a year. Would I really save?
I'm undecided about Costco, leaning toward not joining. And I'm undecided about the vac, leaning toward the Hoover or another less expensive machine. But in my minds eye, I see myself vacuuming away with my glam Dison. So what will I do? And what does this have to do with an ecstatic experience of God? Well, I believe that it does.
All the great saints have said, offer all you do to God. Be glad. Be ecstatic , be grateful. In ALL you do.
I got tired and we had to go home after Costco. MKate came over for a slice of Bobby's pizza. She loved it. Then she had a slice of Em's bday cake. She loved that also. We wanted to give her the other half of the magic cake because Jeff (her wonderful husband) deserves great cake and the rest of her precious family does as well. Really, MKate's family is sooo sweet. And she loves my family as well.
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