divine
Rediscovering Prayer As A Personal Practice
“Prayer” can be a complicated concept for some people, especially when it carries associations with dogma or specific religious traditions.
On a spiritual path, not everyone relates to a higher power in the same way, and we all experience the sacred or the divine through diverse and deeply personal lenses.
However, no matter how we personally view it, prayer can hold a very meaningful place in any spiritual practice.
As my own spiritual awareness deepened, I came to see God not as a distant figure watching over the world, but as a vast creative presence, an energy that flows through all life. Some connect with this presence as “the universe,” others as their higher self, their guides, or a field of eternal love and light.
I have moved through many of these perspectives myself, and each has offered me unique insights. Over time, returning to the broader concept of God reopened a space of comfort and peace within me, especially through the practice of prayer.
When I was a child, prayer felt natural. It brought reassurance and warmth. Reconnecting with it later in life has brought that same sense of grounding and clarity.
Prayer can be understood as a conversation with God, Source, Spirit, the Divine, with one’s soul, or with the deeper wisdom that resides within and around us. Continue reading
Holding On To What Never Changes
Nature always inspires deep thoughts in me. There’s something about pausing to watch the wind rustle through the trees or to see the sun gently filter through the clouds that invites stillness and reflection.
Today, I found myself contemplating the constantly changing seasons. In the Northern Hemisphere, we are a month away from the summer solstice, and the days are becoming increasingly long and warm with golden light. The trees are lush and full, the air hums with the sound of insects, and gardens overflow with life.
Change is everywhere. It’s evident in the ripening of fruit, the intense afternoon heat, and the subtle shift in the season’s energy toward harvest.
It’s not just nature, either. Our lives are constantly evolving, too. Relationships shift, careers transition, health fluctuates, and dreams reshape themselves over time.
No matter where we turn, we hear messages such as “Change is inevitable,” and “Don’t be afraid of change.”
Yes, change is necessary. As spiritual beings, we are meant to continually grow and evolve. Change challenges us, stretches us, and teaches us.
But let’s be honest — sometimes it’s also deeply unsettling. This is especially true in times like these, when the world feels uncertain, divided, and fragile.
The Sacred Invitation Of A Spring Renewal
With the first delicate buds unfurling and the air perfumed with the invigorating scent of nature’s reawakening, Spring has officially arrived. This sacred season carries with it the powerful energies of change, whispering to us of transformation, renewal and new beginnings.
But as exhilarating as change can be, it often comes with uncertainty, excitement, and sometimes even fear. We find ourselves at a crossroads between the comfort of the known and the vast potential of what lies ahead.
During the winter months, we instinctively retreated inward — both physically, as we sought warmth from the cold, and spiritually, as we turned our awareness inward to reflect, heal, and dream. Without even realizing it, we entered the sacred cave of our inner wisdom and nurtured the seeds of our soul’s deepest desires.
Now, as the earth awakens and the air becomes warmer, so does the essence of our being, ready to give birth to something new and profound.
Although you may not fully understand what is unfolding within you, your soul is always aware. It has been preparing you for this moment, nurturing the visions and intentions that you have been quietly cultivating in the silence of winter.
Sometimes new beginnings manifest as external changes — a career change, a move to a new home, or new relationships. Other times they unfold as inner changes — an awakening of self-love, a renewed sense of purpose, or a deepened spiritual connection.
The Archangels: Divine Messengers, Emissaries And Healers
Throughout history and across spiritual traditions, archangels have been known as divine messengers and powerful emissaries of the divine. They are among the highest orders of celestial beings who guide and assist humanity in profound ways.
An archangel is a high-ranking angel, often described as a celestial being with special authority and a significant role in the higher realms.
The term “archangel” comes from the Greek words archi (meaning chief or head) and angelos (meaning messenger). They are considered leaders among the angels and act as intermediaries between the divine and humanity. They offer protection, guidance, and the execution of divine will.
While many religious traditions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Islam, acknowledge their existence, archangels transcend any one faith.
Many wisdom traditions and mythologies have parallels to archangels – celestial or divine beings who act as messengers, protectors, or mediators between the divine and humanity. Examples include the Amesha Spentas in Zoroastrianism, the Devas in Hinduism, the Bodhisattvas in Hinduism, and the Kami in Shinto.
Although different traditions vary in the number and identities of archangels, some are universally recognized and revered.
A distinguishing feature of archangels is their names, which typically end in “-el,” which means “of God” or “in God” in Hebrew. This signifies their deep connection to the divine will and their role as conduits between the higher realms and the earthly plane.
Inner Journey To The Mystical Isle Of Avalon
Sometimes when the pressures and demands of modern life become too much, I retreat to one of my favorite places in the universe: the mythical island of Avalon.
This legendary island of Celtic mythology is steeped in legends of healing, psychic learning, sacred crafting, and the life and times of King Arthur. Its name translates as “Isle of Apples,” emphasizing its association with fertility, abundance, and otherworldly beauty.
In folklore, Avalon, or Insula Avallonis, was a sanctuary of deep spiritual and psychic knowledge and was known as a training ground for pagan priestesses dedicated to the Great Mother Goddess. These women dedicated their lives to spirituality, honing their skills in clairvoyance, herbalism, weaving, and deep devotion to the Divine Feminine.
But Avalon was not only a sanctuary for women. Men were also an integral part of its story. Merlin the magician is inextricably linked to the history of the island, having trained the young Arthur there for his kingship.
Avalon is also entwined with many other tales woven through the lives of King Arthur, Guinevere, Morgan le Fay, Merlin, Nimue (the Lady of the Lake), and others. Legend also has it that King Arthur was brought to Avalon by his half-sister, Morgan le Fay, to heal after being badly wounded in battle.
The question of whether Avalon really existed straddles the line between myth and reality. Some historians and researchers speculate that Avalon may be based on a real place. Glastonbury, England, is often associated with Avalon because of its mystical aura and ties to Arthurian legend.
Earth Angels, Synchronicity And Divine Miracles
When people tell me they don’t believe in earth angels, synchronicity and miracles of divine intervention, I always ask them if they’ve ever heard of Katie Lentz and the mystery priest.
Her story is a powerful example of the mystical and awe-inspiring ways spirit and the divine can manifest itself when we need it most.
In 2013, Katie Lentz, a 19-year-old college student in Missouri, was involved in a serious car accident when another driver crossed the center line and collided head-on with her vehicle. Her car was crushed and she was trapped inside.
Rescuers struggled to free her, but the situation was dire. After about an hour, they feared she might not survive due to the extent of her injuries and the difficulty of extrication.
At a critical moment, Lentz asked for someone to pray with her. Then a priest mysteriously appeared out of nowhere. He was described as dressed in traditional priestly garb and carrying anointing oil. He prayed with her, anointed her, and told the rescuers that they would soon be able to free her.
Almost immediately after his prayer, an additional rescue team arrived with the equipment needed to free her. But when the rescuers turned to thank the priest, he was gone. No one at the scene recognized him, knew where he came from or went, and he didn’t even appear in any of the photos taken at the scene.
Reconnecting With Your Inner Light
These days, it’s easy to feel lost, anxious, or just plain drained. We juggle the pressure to succeed, increasing isolation, endless app notifications, and even a creeping sense of loneliness or hopelessness.
It’s no wonder so many of us feel overwhelmed and disconnected from our true selves and the deeper source of wisdom within that illuminates our lives. Instead of feeling alive and vibrant, for many people it’s just a matter of getting through the day.
But here’s the good news: There is a way out of this gray fog, and it doesn’t involve a fancy retreat or running away to join the circus.
It’s about reconnecting with the light within you-the spark of divinity that’s always been there. Once you tap into that, everything changes. You begin to feel grounded, peaceful and purposeful. Life becomes richer, more joyful, and you’ll find yourself smiling a lot more!
The spiritual concept of “light” is central to many Eastern wisdom traditions. In Hinduism, for example, “light” symbolizes divine knowledge, truth, and the divine self (atman). The famous Sanskrit phrase “tamaso mā jyotir gamaya” (lead me from darkness to light) from the Brihadaranyaka Upanishad refers to our innate desire for enlightenment and spiritual knowledge.
The concept of enlightenment (bodhi), metaphorically symbolized by light, is also central to Buddhism. In achieving enlightenment, one is said to attain wisdom and freedom from the darkness of ignorance.