One cannot share a love for mystics without having a bit or a lot of madness accessible in one's life. Madness is not insanity. Madness is access to deep rumblings of emotion that feel into the mystery above us and below us and around us. Teresa of Avila also lived in bouts of ecstatic madness and said such extraordinarily simple wisdoms as "god lives in the pots and pans". One can only feel that with some mad joy. To see deeply, to feel deeply, to care deeply is to show up madly on this planet . Some of us see so deeply into the beauty of this natural world, so deeply, with such a profound "maternal gaze" that we are labelled mad when in fact, it is that our tuning forks are so acute that we can sing with frequencies that reach the stars; a beautiful madness to be claimed just like when one finds god/s in the pots and pans. Thank you Shannon for this writing prompt that I could not resist! Morgana
I love this. I hope you feel all the things and come out better for it.
I’m with you in leaning into the winter of the season when it hits you. I felt myself falling and, this year, instead of fighting it, I took the space to retreat into it.
For some reason, I knew this was a safe option for me (everyone was still fed, lights stayed on, etc) in a way that it hasn’t been before. I was tired of having to be up/learning/happy/overcoming all the time. I just felt the darkness.
And then, it lifted when the sun started to come back.
Tired of having to be ... overcoming, etc all the time. Yes, I really feel this. There is something to be said for that at times - and sometimes its just simply required of us. But there is something that feels really right and in keeping with natural rhythms to just go dark when it calls to you.
Shannon, you are so extraordinarily ordinary, or ordinarily extraordinary, I can’t tell which! Your gift is in expressing it so authentically that we see ourselves in you, or you in us, I can’t tell which!
It's always tricky to write from a personal perspective because though the intent is to be universally applicable, I always have pause and wonder if it's too "me-centric" to be relevant to others. So this encouragement means a lot to me. Thanks, Mike.
It’s an honor to be let into this place. I, too, a fan of Sylvia Plath, feel this moment for you. Ive been in similar places where it feels as if I’m living the lines of future books. Please keep writing about this. ps. Can’t wait for your book on mystics 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
what many of these comments suggest to me about the rewilded life is that the aliveness of life and the truth of life and the beauty of speaking from soul is that we are a collective of the rewilded life and given the chance we see it when we read it, we know it and we cannot help but respond from the deepest place in us... there is a place I know only I can go and no one else can go there for me...I will meet you there!
As St. Ignatius would say, pay attention to the feelings. All are good and all tell us something about ourselves and the stirrings of our restless or joyful or melancholy or nightgown-craving soul....
Teresa of Avila, Julian of Norwich to add to your collection of ladies that saw stuff and dared to wrestle with it and write it down. Those two give me food for thought to this day; a gentle view of a feminine Creator figure. As one who takes an anti-depressant, I send you blessings and peace for the journey. I look forward to your book whenever it is ready.
One cannot share a love for mystics without having a bit or a lot of madness accessible in one's life. Madness is not insanity. Madness is access to deep rumblings of emotion that feel into the mystery above us and below us and around us. Teresa of Avila also lived in bouts of ecstatic madness and said such extraordinarily simple wisdoms as "god lives in the pots and pans". One can only feel that with some mad joy. To see deeply, to feel deeply, to care deeply is to show up madly on this planet . Some of us see so deeply into the beauty of this natural world, so deeply, with such a profound "maternal gaze" that we are labelled mad when in fact, it is that our tuning forks are so acute that we can sing with frequencies that reach the stars; a beautiful madness to be claimed just like when one finds god/s in the pots and pans. Thank you Shannon for this writing prompt that I could not resist! Morgana
Aaah, this nurtured me so much. I love the tuning fork analogy. Thank you for taking the time to write this!
This comment itself is irresistible! One of the more beautiful pieces I’ve read on Substack thus far. Saving for later. Thank you, Morgana.
I love this. I hope you feel all the things and come out better for it.
I’m with you in leaning into the winter of the season when it hits you. I felt myself falling and, this year, instead of fighting it, I took the space to retreat into it.
For some reason, I knew this was a safe option for me (everyone was still fed, lights stayed on, etc) in a way that it hasn’t been before. I was tired of having to be up/learning/happy/overcoming all the time. I just felt the darkness.
And then, it lifted when the sun started to come back.
Tired of having to be ... overcoming, etc all the time. Yes, I really feel this. There is something to be said for that at times - and sometimes its just simply required of us. But there is something that feels really right and in keeping with natural rhythms to just go dark when it calls to you.
Shannon, you are so extraordinarily ordinary, or ordinarily extraordinary, I can’t tell which! Your gift is in expressing it so authentically that we see ourselves in you, or you in us, I can’t tell which!
It's always tricky to write from a personal perspective because though the intent is to be universally applicable, I always have pause and wonder if it's too "me-centric" to be relevant to others. So this encouragement means a lot to me. Thanks, Mike.
It’s an honor to be let into this place. I, too, a fan of Sylvia Plath, feel this moment for you. Ive been in similar places where it feels as if I’m living the lines of future books. Please keep writing about this. ps. Can’t wait for your book on mystics 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Thanks friend. Have you read Sylvia's journals? I'm thinking of exploring them next.
No I haven't but I just found a used copy and purchased it! Thanks for mentioning.
Sylvia Plath, Margery Kemp, AND Catherine of Sienna … whew. Be tender with yourself. 😉
Haha, yes, noted!
what many of these comments suggest to me about the rewilded life is that the aliveness of life and the truth of life and the beauty of speaking from soul is that we are a collective of the rewilded life and given the chance we see it when we read it, we know it and we cannot help but respond from the deepest place in us... there is a place I know only I can go and no one else can go there for me...I will meet you there!
"there is a place I know only I can go and no one else can go there for me...I will meet you there!" [Chloe Goodchild]
As St. Ignatius would say, pay attention to the feelings. All are good and all tell us something about ourselves and the stirrings of our restless or joyful or melancholy or nightgown-craving soul....
Here’s to Zoloft. 🍻
cheers!
Teresa of Avila, Julian of Norwich to add to your collection of ladies that saw stuff and dared to wrestle with it and write it down. Those two give me food for thought to this day; a gentle view of a feminine Creator figure. As one who takes an anti-depressant, I send you blessings and peace for the journey. I look forward to your book whenever it is ready.
Another two of my favorites!
Stay strong girl. There is a way forward. 🙏
I appreciate that!
Thank you Shannon, very beautiful.
Thanks so much for reading.
I’m not sure “better” is the right word…”more whole” maybe?
I knew what ya meant!