Communing: The Spiritual Art of Sharing

“Those who contemplate the beauty of the earth find reserves of strength that will endure as long as life lasts. There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature — the assurance that dawn comes after night, and spring after winter.”    –    Rachel Carson, “Silent Spring”, 1962

Rachel Carson was a prophet, ahead of her time. She spoke out about the dangers of pesticides over 60 years ago, but she did so against a backdrop and deepest appreciation of Nature. She clearly was in the deepest Communing with Nature. As we move out of the snow and cold her words have echoed into my HeartMind and have caused me to ask: “With what do I Commune, and how?” I live on land that has been consecrated to the Good, the Divine, the Goddess, and more. But am I in complete Communion? A profound query for all of us to ask, and a wonderful time to examine our processes and techniques for achieving this union.

Few words have as many nuances and derivatives as the word” Commune”. Derived from the Latin communis (“common, public, general”), and communia (“things held in common”), it entered Middle English (via Old French comuner (“to share”) and Medieval Latin communia (“community”), emphasizing shared life, intimacy, and local self-governance. The original communis was a compound of com-(“together) and munus (“duty, obligation, gift”). 

On a deeper level, to “commune” has come to mean a sharing of one’s intimate thoughts or feelings with someone, or something, especially on a spiritual level. It also can imply an experience of feeling in close spiritual contact with, i.e “they spent an hour communing with Nature on the bank of a stream”. 

 Christians, following the teachings of Jesus (and therefore also following in the traditions of Judaism and the Passover rituals) use the term in receiving the sacrament of Bread and Wine. For Christians, a church is a “community” of believers. For Jews a “synagogue” indicates a house of worship, study and assembly that serves as the center of community bringing the congregation together. Muslims have mosques, Hindus and others have their temples, all with basically the same purpose- to bring people together in celebration, ritual, study, and worship of what we know we all have in common.

This early part of the Spring season universally brings people out of their homes and from the darkness of Winter to once again gather, to make new plans, plant new “seeds”, begin new projects. The 3 Abrahamic faiths of Judaism- Judaism, Christianity, and Islam share many common practices and rituals. Muslims have just finished their month of reflection and fasting of Ramadan and their 3-day period of celebration, called Eid-al-Fitr, of getting together once again, of communing. Jews will begin their 8-day festival of celebration, and gathering together in remembrance of their liberation from slavery in Egypt. Their special ritual, the Seder, is the basis of the Christian sacrament of Communion. Christians will soon be celebrating Easter and families following this tradition will be gathering worldwide to celebrate Life over Death…the promise of a new Spring of Eternal Peace and Love. 

Druids, in the Celtic traditions of the British Isles, begin the sacred Equinox season with sacred fires and the planting of seeds. They call it Alban Eilir and it is at the point of balance between day and night. It is a perfect time to open to the quality of balance in our own lives. Let us take this “seed thought” as an entrance to the concept of “communing”. 

The last two CenterPoint blogs have focused on “Charity”- the Spiritual Arts and Sciences of Receiving and Giving. They were meant to serve as focal points for reflection, before we take action. Now comes the call to move forward, and plant (and nourish) those “seeds”. One suggestion- ask yourself two questions: 

• “Are my plans for this Spring (new projects, gardening, etc.) in harmony with my Life Purpose and moving me further along my Path? “(As opposed to just repeating old habits).
• “Will these actions bring me closer to my True Self, my Community, and the Divine?”

I think we can all agree how easy it is to fall into familiar old habits and patterns. This is a wonderful opportunity to make a change, make a difference. Changes typically take time, and like gardening and farming it take spatience and diligence. But the fruits of such endeavors are truly the sweetest. 

In whatever manner you choose to observe this Season, take the time to “commune”. Get to know yourself…you will find a true friend in there. Get to know Nature- enjoy the Garden the Divine has provided all of us within which to truly commune. The word “Paradise” is derived from an ancient Persian word for a “walled garden’. Find your garden and it need not be walled. I have not yet visited a city that is without its gardens. Living in the countryside I, of course, find that “garden” everywhere. Take the time to breathe it in, to “smell the roses”. When you consciously breathe in such environments, you will take it with you in your consciousness. You can close your eyes when you return home and “return” to it, in prayer and meditation. In time you can “Become” the very garden(s) you have come to love. It just takes a little time, and a little practice. You deserve it, we deserve it. That special “Breath” and practice is truly at the heart of “Communing”, and ultimately at the heart of “Community”. 

Finally, as we walk among humanity, let us focus more on what we have in “Common”, and not what (appears to) separate us. There has always only been one Community. Ironically, this idea will help in discovering which special (sub) communities most naturally resonate for you, and what Gifts are the most important for you to share. 

Let us close with more words of wisdom from Rachel Carson: “In nature nothing exists alone.”