Mary: Woman of Transcendence and Immanence
“Yes, day by day through the course of time
my awareness of the call to blessed fulfillment increases
for you have done great things in me.
Holy is this time,
and patience is your gift
to all who nurture the seed of your love.”
“Miryam of Nazareth” Ann Johnson
The woman we have come to know, through the Greek name as Mary, was called by the Hebrew name, Miryam. In her book, "Miryam of Nazareth," Ann Johnson tells us that Miryam means “rebellion.” Though we may have a negative association with this word, it essentially means to challenge political and religious authority, and cultural restrictions, placed upon us by external means. To engender a rebellion means to bring “hope of change.” Mary was the bearer of such a hope.
Mary bore witness and actively participated in the teaching mission of her son. Her presence supported the growing community; she acknowledged and lived the radical change being brought to her religious tradition; and she bowed low before the spirit of love, even to the most painful death and loss of her son. She was a woman of transcendence, that is, she went beyond the limits of belief or non-belief. She was walking in the miracle of love, and that miracle was the Kingdom of God being manifested on our earth.
Mary was also a woman of immanence, which means the indwelling, or to remain within. She knew the Kingdom of God, the Word, to be alive within her self, both through her birthing of Jesus and the birthing of her own woman-self. “Blessed is she who believed that there would be a fulfillment of what was spoken to her by the Lord” (Luke 1:45). These were the words of Elizabeth to Mary. What words are being spoken to us and wanting to come into fulfillment? Can we say, “With quiet awe my spirit listens?”
Mary’s mantle of love spreads over us today and she invites us all to come to her; to gather our strength and wisdom, and to learn from her how to bear the Word in our daily living. We too can sing, “My soul magnifies the Lord.” Magnify means to “make great.” We can bring this inner God into an external greatness, and become bearers of the “hope of change,” challenging outmoded authorities, and spreading our love-mantle over all we meet.
“Yes, this is the time we have waited for.
This is the moment of blessing.
Holy is birth,
And you shall show yourself from age to age
In those who enter into creation with you.”
“Miryam of Nazareth” Ann Johnson
WORKSHOPS:
FINDING HOME ON EARTH
Sunday May 20th - 10.00 - 4.30 p.m.
Leapin' Lizards, Freeport, Maine $85
"These things I have spoken to you,
that My joy may remain in you,
and that your joy may be full." John. 15:11
For many, finding one's place and living one's authentic self in this world is a difficult task. In this workshop we will explore why this is so, and what fears stop us from coming into our earthly happiness and fulfillment. Looking at the lives of the Western mystics we will seek a pathway to allow our interior and exterior beings to come together in harmony and joy.
We will learn how to become fully grounded in our earthly presence, and yet simultaneously able to live completely from Spirit, bringing forth the "mystic within" to embrace the fullness of our lives.
This one-day workshop will include meditation practices, movement, chanting and journaling.
SATURDAY JUNE 30 9:00 – 4:00 P.M. $95
BLUE HILL, ME
Pre-Registration Required: Tel: 207-374-3877 Christina Van Duijn
MARY: WOMAN OF STRENGTH & WISDOM
“Yes, day by day through the course of time
my awareness of the call to blessed fulfillment increases
for you have done great things in me.”
“Miryam of Nazareth,” Ann Johnson
We are all being called to become Bearers of the Word. Our daily living demands it, our relationships thrive on it, and our souls know that we are destined for “making great” the presence of God on our earth.
In this workshop we will gather under Mary’s mantle of love, allowing her to soothe and nourish our souls. We will learn how to move beyond our limitations of belief and non-belief; how to listen with the spirit of a quiet awe; and how to courageously come forward into the world with our strength and wisdom, entering and living from the fulfillment of self.
There will be contemplative meditations, movement, and chants. Please bring a journal.
July 20-22nd - Weekend Retreat at Omega Institute, Rhinebeck, NY
"Falling Into the Arms of Love"
Intimacy! How are we intimate with ourselves, with God and with others? Releasing outdated paradigms of relationship, we will step into the greater love of sacred companionship.
TELEPHONE CONSULTATIONS:
As we move forward on our journey we all need confirmation that we are walking in the right direction. Guided by the Spirit, these sessions support the unfolding of your journey and your own soul's needs. Using meditation, psycho-spiritual integration practices and compassionate listening, Megan facilitates bringing your soul more fully into its own wisdom and love.
Sliding Scale - $65-90 per hour
Personal Consultations, Sound Healing, and Voice Exploration Sessions are available for those in the Maine/Massachussets area or when Megan is traveling in your area.
It is in your power to live and die with this peace
- Teresa of Avila
