NASA’s picture of the layers of the Sun.

We’re all ready for the Solar Eclipse 2017 here in Missouri! There’s so much going on in the world right now it’s hard to know what write about. I just looked at NASA’s webpage for the Eclipse event and learned that during a Solar Eclipse scientists can see the most inner part of the Sun which are called the Corona and Chromosphere. This is important scientifically and you can find out why at NASA’s webpage. The significance of my sharing on it is what I believe to be a key to finding our meaning in life and also a key to each and every person’s success. This isn’t anything new that I’m sharing. It’s something I have been researching lately for professional reasons and need to do more of in my own life too.

So here’s the crux of the matter: When the moon passes over the Sun we see the INNER part of the Sun we’re never able to see otherwise. When people are vulnerable with one another and share deeply we see the INNER part of each other or what Thomas Merton and many others call the Real Self. The Sun’s mask is taken away during the eclipse and our masks of superficiality are taken away when we go inward, connect with our real self, and share deeply. The best way to get in touch with our real self is through practicing Contemplative Prayer. I suggest reading among other books, Thomas Merton’s “New Seeds of Contemplation” for an explanation of what contemplative prayer is.

When we are able to take off our outer or surface masks such as masks such as competition, selfishness, pettiness, anger, and fear to name a few we go to the next level of being so to speak. Even though we become more confident in our self we are in a vulnerable position because we are exposed. This is also where we connect with the Divine Presence in our lives. It is where we find true love in the deepest sense of the word. See God is love and already knows this part of us, but we have to take time and really connect their too. I have learned all of this throughout formation and am still learning and working on it! So by no means am I an expert in this matter, just someone who’s hoping to help the cause of making the world a better place.

The key to finding meaning in our lives which I mentioned earlier can be found if we learn to connect with our deepest and truest selves and keep doing so throughout our lifetimes. It’s definitely not a onetime deal! It is not an easy thing to do but if more and more of us do it this will add so much love to the world. And that’s what we so desperately need today—a groundswell of LOVE. Not the romantic type of love, but the deepest love which allows for deep connection. It’s hard to explain unless you’ve experienced it. In this love is where we are able to see the oneness of the Universe and the oneness of the human family and all of creation. We see how we’re all connected. We honor and respect the unique diversity and abilities among us. We go beyond ourselves. We have healthier relationships and relate to each other in a better manner. Doing these actions keep us grounded and keep hope alive.

It’s a process. Take it one day at a time–because really that’s all we can do!
Blessings on the journey fellow pilgrim! ~Sister Clare