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Jan Phillips, in God Is At Eye Level, writes that “every step in the process of taking pictures is a step toward the light, an experience of the holy, an encounter with God who is at eye level, whose image I see wherever I look.” She remarks that taking pictures of a person is “an opportunity to look deeply into another, to see the essence of spirit as it sweeps across the surface.” To do this, “the photographer must cross a certain threshold, enter into the presence of another being with full attention.” If this is done, then, there is “a holy moment, a time of communion, a chance to reflect and reveal another dimension of the Divine.”
A disciple visited his Teacher. After talking awhile, the disciple asked, “Teacher, where is God?” The Teacher replied, “Where are you? Where am I?” “Teacher,” answered the disciple, “right here.” “There is your answer,” spoke the Teacher with a smile.
Maharishi Mahesh Yogi noted that "all speech, action, and behavior are fluctuations of consciousness. All life emerges from, and is sustained in, consciousness. The whole universe is the expression of consciousness. The reality of the universe is one unbounded ocean of consciousness in motion." (see www.whatthebleep.com )
For our Western, more religiously anthropomorphic tenor, I paraphrase Maharishi by inserting “God”: All speech, action, and behavior are fluctuations of God. All life emerges from, and is sustained in, God. The whole universe is the expression of God. The reality of the universe is one unbounded ocean of God in motion.
Jan Phillips sees God, or Consciousness, or Energy, or Love … in those persons she photographs. To do this, she enters into the “presence” of that person. That person is “another dimension” of God. You and I are a dimension of God. We experience God by allowing ourselves to be open to the other person. Being open to the other person, herself part of the “unbounded ocean,” we enter God. Such intimacy, what the New Testament calls koinonia, is always available to us, for we are immersed in the Intimacy of the Word.
Exercise
Pray today to be open to the Divine Presence in everyone you meet. When someone is talking with you, do not be thinking about being anywhere else. Be fully present, look the person in the eyes, listen to the quality of her voice, …, thereby, experiencing God moving between you in a single Presence.
Today’s Affirmation
I see God everywhere.
OneLife Ministries is a pastoral outreach and nurture ministry of the First United Methodist Church, Fort Meade, FL. For Spiritual Direction, Pastoral Counseling, spiritual formation workshops, Christian meditation retreats, or more information about OneLife, write Rev. Dr. Brian K. Wilcox at briankwilcox@comcast.net.
Brian's book of mystical love poetry, An Ache for Union, can be ordered through major bookdealers.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
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