In summer we tend to be drawn out of ourselves and into the world.  The weather is better, the options for outdoor fun and activity increase (here in Seattle, where we have a short summer season, people really rush to be out when the sky clears and the sun shines).   Because of the pull to be active and out, summer can be a difficult time to stay consistent with a meditation practice and spiritual work.  As I reflect on the past few months, I appreciate God’s wisdom in creating the routine for us to retreat with one another in the middle of July.  This year we had 3 consecutive weeks of retreats.  Our community members spent most of the month coming and going from the Sophia Peace Center in Dolores CO, dividing ourselves into 3 groups and heading off to be inspired, healed, awakened, and active in showing up to be transformed.

Every morning our community sits together for 30 minutes of meditation.  In early August I was sitting in meditation looking out on our community and smiled.  I thought, “This is a totally different group of people than we were a few weeks ago.”  As always I am amazed at how quickly change happens in God’s hands.  I felt so happy that each person had decided to dive in, open their hearts and allow Jesus and Mary to work on them from the inside out.  Defenses come down, people take risks and decide to trust again and then the whole world changes.  I felt deeply grateful to be able to see each of the students and community members in a new light.  When we allow our heaviest burdens to be lifted from our hearts, of course we wouldn’t be the same as we were… even a few minutes before.  One of the great blessings of working with a Teacher is that the Teacher makes room for you to be new; transformed in the twinkling of an eye.  I love that this was done for me and I have the great blessing of serving others in the same way.