By Cecy Corcoran, FSPA, Ph.D.

Last summer I was introduced to the “cosmic hum” while attending the Healing Sound Intensive at Sunrise Ranch near Loveland, Colorado with Jonathan Goldman, international leader in the harmonics of sound healing. We chanted the Divine Name, (a series of vowels for the unspeakable name of God). The phrase, like a sigh, repeated again and again, carried not only harmony of voice, but an awakening of spirit.

The gathering of almost one hundred people became transformed into an open-hearted community. Were we brought into unity because we spent full days breathing those prolonged deep breaths while toning in harmonics?  Was it the vowel sounds in themselves that resonated and projected healing sounds all around and into us? 

” Everything in the universe is in a state of vibration.” Everything is in motion and produces a sound or frequency. …”  Jonathan Goldman. So what has that to do with inner well-being and transformation experienced by chanting?   

I looked deeper for the answer.Cynthia Bourgeault author of The Trinity and the Law of Three wraps her head around the question of creation (how something came from nothing). Being a theologian she explores the Holy Trinity as the creator, but pushes beyond familiar descriptions of Father, Son and Holy Spirit as she explores questions of what primal action actually brought the “big bang”. She includes sound, vibrations that responded to Inaccessible Light and Reflected Light that existed before any matter.

When it was time in the unfolding process of eternity, a vibration began to stir, a something out of nothingness from which everything evolved. This everything holds the vibrational thread with the Source until 14 billion years later here we are in this vast, complex multiverse. I see that Presence in energy as the creative, healing power of sound.

There is something that wants to heal us, something deeper than our DNA, some constant self-regulating current that gets heightened with our intention. This seems to be accessed through sound, the healing sound of chanting or the intention of aligning oneself with a hum, a sound of nature or an instrument. The roar of the ocean, the wind through the forest, the gentle lapping of water at the shore, the trill or a bird, the sound of a flute: we live in a world of healing sound, of sounds that calm us, or energize us, that grate on our nerves or set us on edge.

Sounds may soothe or stir us to action. Sounds alert us to danger or lull us to sleep. But sound does not only come to us. Like the wind we each carry our own vibrational presence. We may be aware of it as a movement that beats with our heart but sometimes we are the last to become aware of this pulse inside of us that carries life and healing to all parts of our body. Through our own voice, our humming, our song, shout or scream, our sobs and the sighs we emit, we seek well-being, integration, authenticity and union. 

Today, studies confirm the ancient practice of chanting and toning can calm the mind and ease the heart. Through harmonics we have a greater understanding of frequencies of pitches and the power of metal or crystal bowls and tuning forks to enhance sound and vibrations. These practices and instruments when used by sound healers, open the mind and heart.

Add intention to all the vibrational stirring within and the possibilities for transformation are multiplied. When one consciously chooses to direct one’s voice to carry love and healing, we become a prayer and our compassion rides on the current of sound outward to its destination. It is a simple practice that sends out healing energy. It can be done anytime but on occasion there are opportunities to join our voices to others around the planet.

Visit www.worldsoundhealing.org for more information. Cecy is a member of the Christine Center leadership team. Read about her here.

 

By Henrita Frost, SSND

Upon entering the Christine Center’s Mary of the Angels Chapel, many guests feel awe as they experience the seven stained glass windows. How glorious the windows are when the sun is shining and images of the windows are reflected into each other and on the walls and floor.  

It is with a sad heart and wonderful memories that we remember Laurie Bieze who created the Chapel windows and doors, completed in September 2010. Laurie died of cancer on June 22, 2014. Laurie loved adventure and she looked forward to her passing to a new life’s journey with anticipation and excitement.    

Laurie was an unassuming internationally renowned stained glass artist. Her soul and love are ever present in our Mary of the Angels Chapel. The beauty of the Chapel windows and doors reflect her extraordinary creative artistry, and her exuberant, joyful and generous heart.  

One of Laurie’s favorite quotes was, “To thine own self be true”. Each door and window of the Chapel has shapes of diamonds in them. We like to think that the diamond reflects the preciousness of Laurie’s true self. We are grateful for her presence in our lives.

 

By Gabriele Uhlein, OSF, Ph.D.

The Christine Center is a remarkable place, and remarkable folks make it possible. Over 25 years ago it was a challenging time for the Christine Center. Transformation was in the air, the future was uncertain. It was some might say, the defining moment for what the Christine Center would become today. For a vision to become reality faith and confidence are required but not sufficient alone. Needed too, is the trust of loyal friends, good mentors and generous benefactors.

To encounter all these attributes in one person is remarkable and such a one is Bela Maroti. For almost three decades he has championed the founding vision of the Christine Center: to be a spiritual home where seekers of all traditions can deepen in God through meditation and contemplation – a place where person by person, our world is blessed and transformed.

When Bela first came there was an aged barn reclaimed by volunteer “sweat-equity” as a meditation center and a few hermitages nested in wild woods. Sr. Virginia Mary Barta and Sr. Johanna Seubert were his hosts. Well-known for his ability to assess the viability of not-for-profit organizations he was invited to offer guidance. 

Now years later, he laughingly admits that he saw nothing viable from a practical point of view. What he did discover was a vision as big as the world and a spirit as wide as the deepest yearning of soul for God. He saw before him some simple Franciscan women and numerous eager retreatants.

There was also a handful of retired local farmers and many friends willing to help. Over-riding the objections of his own better business sense, he was moved by their vision and he too, became a friend and advocate of the Christine Center.

At his urging and with his assistance, articles and by-laws were written, and the first board of directors for the Christine Center was formed in 1990.  He has served energetically and faithfully ever since.

“Sustainability, like profitability, is a by-product,” Bela would say, and wait for us to catch on. His own amazing life is grounded in the reality that if we dare to go where true vision leads, and not be deterred by doubts, obstacles and nay-sayers, guidance is available and what is needed comes.

“Dream,” he invites. “Tell me your vision,” he insists. “Ask for what you need,” he urges. And so the Christine Center did and does, and we continue to thrive and mature with the help of thousands of friends and many retreatants.

Now more than 25 years later we say “Thank you!” with infinite exclamation marks, to our friend and brother, Bela Maroti.

At our September 2014 meeting the Christine Center Board of Directors honors Bela as our first life-time emeritus member. His legacy of wisdom, guidance and philanthropy is woven into the tangible presence of the center and through a scholarship endowment for those that otherwise would be unable to come.

Also, a new sculpture by metal artist and fellow board member, Henry Eisenhauer, will be installed in Bela’s honor. Entitled “Unity” it offers an image of a world in collaboration, of seekers supporting each other on their way, of a circle of friends coming together in living spirit.  Surely, a worthy vision that can change the world, one person at a time.  When you see it, take Bela’s advice.  Trust yourself to life.

By Cecilia Corcoran, FSPA, Ph.D.

Gazing from the east attic window I would become very still as first light brought glowing colors of dawn across Lake Superior. All I had to do was be there in the light and the wonder of that dawning. It was many years ago when I began meditating as a child; but, I never would have called it that. Maybe you recall similar experiences as a child of Divine love, or of angels or however we may have named God for us back then.

Over the years, I have used Scriptures, the breath, and various words to lead me into a place of openness and listening to my deepest Self. It’s become part of my daily spiritual practice.

It helps to get some training and support in the practice of meditation. First you learn that meditation is a gift and God initiates the invitation in soft and subtle ways. Easy to miss if there’s been no instruction in the rich tradition. Yet, God is a loving Presence deep inside and never tires of drawing the soul, again and again to loving union.

Then you learn that meditation is less and less about you doing anything but just being there. You learn to observe your thoughts and dismiss them gently. Then you learn to consciously just let God do God’s work in you.

For more information visit The World Community of Christian Meditation at www.wccm.org. Cecilia regularly offers one-day Christian Meditation retreats at the Christine Center. See our retreat program calendar. The meditations are held in our beautiful Mary of Angels Chapel.

Cecilia is a retired former member of the Christine Center Leadership Team.  Our main network of woodland trails are named after Cecy.

by Sr. Gabriele Uhlein, OSF, Ph.D.

“Paint one brushstroke at a time…” How can something so simple be so hard? Another bit of advice: “When you don’t know what to paint, keep the brush moving!” Sounds crazy, yet those bits reconnected me to the exhilaration of intuitive painting.

First, flash back to your 4-year-old self, or perhaps, yourself in third grade. You have vigorously put crayons through their paces and you’re enjoying happy results. You may have heard someone say, “Here, let me show you how to do it….” Or you might have heard, “That’s really great, what an artist you are!” Others heard some variation on the perennial, “Can’t you just color in the lines, honey…” or, “That’s so nice! Could you do one for me, too?” There is always one you take most to heart. Here’s mine, recalled from art class: “Make it worth the canvas it’s on!”

Still today, place blank paper in front of me, hand me some paints or a pen, and 10,000 versions of those judgments rush to limit what I make or write. I thought, “This is normal. Don’t artists need assessment and critique? Wasn’t an artist’s purpose to produce good work, convey deep meaning and skillfully manage technique?”

Here’s what I know now. I had traded natural soulfulness, joy and creativity for product, meaning and control. Michele Cassou, the great pioneer of intuitive painting, calls this dreaded threesome “dragons of our own making” — limiting ease of expression, and constricting natural creative flow. She reminds us that we actually reinforce and feed these “dragons” with judgment-based habits of mind until we literally can’t make a mark.

She tells her students, “Creative blocks don’t just happen to us. We actually participate in their creation.” Then she asks passionately: “Isn’t that great news?” Usually her students groan in self-recognition.

After years of struggle, and being judged to have little talent, Michele tells how she went to paint with little children, imitating their zest, their willingness to risk, their innocent courage to paint directly what they know in the only way they know how. For almost 40 years she has been sharing what those children taught her.

She calls her approach “painting from Point Zero,” that unconditioned place free from learned habits of judgment, and unencumbered by the constrictions of product, meaning and control. I call it painting from Soul, from that place where images originate, dreams unfold, and the numinous divine reveals itself.

But more than a place to paint from, I find what Michele calls Point Zero a desirable place to LIVE from. As a long-time meditator and spiritual director, I often quip that a day in the studio painting without product, meaning and control is worth a week on a cushion or a couch! Isn’t the point of spiritual practice a process of getting beyond the limited and conditioned — to be in the moment, fresh and joyfully at ease?

I yearn to be able to risk the mysterious and unknown, that not-yet-seen, the only-now-unfolding, ever fresh place where God lures me back to my whole, true, compassionate self.

I am never the same after a session of painting from intuition, as freely and as honestly as I can. For the record, I still can paint for product, and I still can please editors — but now I know the difference, and what a soulful, original difference it has made. 

Process painting or intuitive painting hones contemplative presence and invites insight to arise. If you’re brave enough to look your ego in the eye, if you long to swim in the deep waters of holy integrity, or just have fun (What a thought!), simply stand in front of a blank piece of paper, brush in hand and 20 open pots of paint at the ready.

Declare a judgment-free zone, and fiercely protect it — mostly from your own habits of mind. Without plan, without regard for product, meaning and control, dare yourself to paint whatever wants to be painted. Remind yourself there is no need to like what you paint. Paint no matter what. Happily let moment-to-moment experience guide you.

Sometimes it’s dragons you meet. Sometimes it’s God. I know. You’ll find me there as often as I can.

Sr. Gabriele regularly offers Intuitive Painting retreats at the Christine Center. Visit the retreat program page. She is a member of the Christine Center leadership team. Read about her.