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TRADITION AND LEGACIES

have an easier time letting go of their thoughts about what spiritual directors we can mean the difference for our spir-
colors they should use or whether something looks right itual directees between moving deeper into the Mystery or
and going with their image. There is no judgment about running for the hills. ■
the end result because it is a process, a conversation, an
image of one’s relationship with the divine in a particular References
moment; it is not meant for anyone else. These images, Blake, William. “Auguries of Innocence.” In The
however, shared with a spiritual director, can be quite Pickering Manuscript. 1803. Reprint. New York:
interesting places to explore. Pierpont Morgan Library, 1972.
Whether meditation is done by sitting zazen or with Freeman, Laurence. Jesus, the Teacher Within. New York:
centering prayer, chanting, art, or walking, it is an inter- Continuum, 2000.
faith experience. Every religion espouses some form of Mabry, John R. Growing into God: A Beginner’s Guide
meditative or contemplative practice for drawing closer to Christian Mysticism. Wheaton, IL: Quest Books,
to a personal, mystical experience of the divine. This is a 2012.
language that we can all speak, the language of the direct Teasdale, Wayne. The Mystic Heart: Discovering a
experience of the Source of all being. Sometimes, though, Universal Spirituality in the World’s Religions. Novato,
it is nice to have a little help decoding the experience and CA: New World Library, 1999.
bringing it back into one’s life in a meaningful way. As

Falling
For Anna

It was the cat who caused the latest fall
That took me to the hospital for what
Turned out to be a broken rib; painful,
Yes, though they said nothing could be
Done, and, in the scheme of things, I’ve
Suffered worse. Besides, not malice but
Affection pressed the cat against my leg
Which makes pain easier to bear as does
The fact that we’ve grown old together.
Though what, I wonder, does she know of
Age or illness, the one that stalks my body,
Limb by limb, slowly turning each to stone.
Immutable, relentless, mute; yes, even that,
My voice fades too. And so it is I practice
Falling for if I can’t stand tall, I want to fall
Straight as a tree. I want to get it right,
You see, so in between falls, I write poems,
And even falling, wear bright clothes—turquoise,
Salmon pink, spring green—clothes that sing,
No, shout with joy.

Sarah Rossiter

16 Presence: An International Journal of Spiritual Direction