Simone Weil

Every time that we say "Thy will be done," we should have in mind all possible missfortunes added together. This is what Simone said and our author states "all blessings" as well. We always focus on the Blessing part and in the past few years I have come to realize that the blessings are a mixed bag. My Mother always told us to be careful of what you pray for because you just may get it. I know that a lot of people are told this and it took me a long time to realize what the implications of this are. I do prefer the missfortunes of "Thy will be done" because I recieve the best lessons from them. Our most painful experiences tend to be the ones that have the biggest reward whaen all is over. Again I say "Find the good in each harsh experience". You may find that that is the answer to your prayer.

Isaac of Nineveh

I really enjoy the forwards to a lot of our readings. 'One plus one equals one". When this statement is read after the opposites are made clear for you it is easy to understand that they are one. Good can not exist without bad and up and down like a tedder-todder. I have always badgered my parents with this idea. I used to babble on in the car about it. The in and out of the waves is also a way that I experience this oneness. I was always taought this balance by my Mom. She said " always find the good in a bad situation" and when I reflect and focus on that good part it always makes the ugly part not quite so bad. Balance, it's all about balance.

Hugh of St. Victor

I spent a lot of summers on the ocean with my family. and this ending really sums it up for me. "Happy is he who escapes unharmed from that storm-tossed sea, and reaches the safety of the port!" Here Hugh has us on the sea with the wind in our sails and Symeon has us in the sea looking like God. Water is a mystery to me. I like being in both places. On the sea I smell and hear and see all that is before and behind me. I tack back and forth as I move towards my destination. I sit on the bow and ride the waves on the vessal. I know that I will reach the prot because I have the greatest of Captains at the helm. In the sea I am the vessal. I am not able to see or smell but I can still hear. Long sounds that feel like they come from far way. For what ever reason I feel less safe her in the water than on it. How do I manage to stay unharmed. I don't.

Symeon the new Theologian

The paragraph about the sea resonates with me. I love his use of words like "dive, plunge, and vision". I love the way it feel to be fully in the water. It is such a weightless place. I never thought about god being like the sea. It is boyant and dark as well as constantly moving. I think my trips to the river this year are going to have new meaning.
Jason talked about the humility of the Tao. How it is like water, the softest thing on earth and yet the force that moves earth and dissolves rocks. Here I read the same thing. I hope to look at life through the vision of God like I am immersed in the softness of my creator, allowing it to dissolve all my firm resolutions.