Followers

Sunday, June 19, 2016

The Ecstasy of St. Theresa

I was baptized and confirmed in the Roman Catholic Church. Recently as I have struggled with my beliefs in reiki and other teachings outside the Church such as kundalini, I realized my saint through confirmation is St. Theresa the Little Flower. How I came to pick this saint I don't really recall, I believe I remember being drawn in with her simple nature and her mystical love for Christ. I am grateful that I chose this saint because she now represents more to me at the age of 33 then she did at the age of 14 when i was confirmed.

Interestingly, many Christians consider Catholics to be of Satan. So this blog will mean nothing to them. And even more interesting is the Church itself would discourage me making the connections I am about to speak of. Or I guess you could say the metaphorical nature of the comparisons I am about to make would probably be laughed at. That's ok. I now know the Catholic Church holds great wisdom and I love the Church, but I do not love its government. Many times in history the Church has condemned people that they now consider saints!

Today I was at mass and again during the Eucharistic prayers felt my hands become very hot. I know this is reiki and its Gods way of showing me that reiki is a gift not a demonic force. I began to think about St Theresa. I would like to include here some of her writings. I will make no commentary. I will only say that much of this sounds like kundalini. What are your thoughts?

St. Theresa speaking on her moments of "ecstasy"

"... Beside me, on the left hand, appeared an angel in bodily form... He was not tall but short, and very beautiful; and his face was so aflame that he appeared to be one of the highest rank of angels, who seem to be all on fire... In his hands I saw a great golden spear, and at the iron tip there appeared to be a point of fire. This he plunged into my heart several times ... and left me utterly consumed by the great love of God. The pain was so severe that it made me utter several moans. The sweetness caused by this intense pain is so extreme that one cannot possibly wish it to cease, nor is one's soul then content with anything but God. This is not a physical, but a spiritual pain, though the body has some share in it-even a considerable share ..."

The Ecstasy of St. Theresa is considered by many as the apogee of Bernini's oeuvre and is notable for the following qualities;

Bernini's St. Theresa is often described as a gesamtkunstwerk (a German word meaning "total work of art") for the artist's incorporation of a variety of elements: sculpture, painting, and lighting effects all presented in a theatrical setting.

The Ecstasy of St. Theresa is not just a sculpture, but a total environment: Bernini designed the entire chapel, creating a veritable stage set complete with sculpted audience members.

Eroticism: 
Although some art historians insist that Bernini could not possibly have intended to imbue this subject with an erotic energy, as that would have been inconceivably heretical for that time, in reality the concupiscent implications of this work are unmistakable: the beautiful, bare-chested young angel gently opens Theresa's dress, preparing to penetrate her with his arrow, while the saint throws back her head with an expression of ecstasy.

The sensuality of the piece is directly inspired by St. Theresa's own writings!
She claimed that during her illness she rose from the lowest stage, "recollection", to the "devotions of silence" or even to the "devotions of ecstasy", which was one of perfect union with God. During this final stage, she said she frequently experienced a rich "blessing of tears." As the Catholic distinction between mortal and venial sin became clear to her, she says she came to understand the awful terror of sin and the inherent nature of original sin. She also became conscious of her own natural impotence in confronting sin, and the necessity of absolute subjection to God.
Around 1556, various friends suggested that her newfound knowledge was diabolical, not divine. How sad.
"Let nothing disturb you.
Let nothing make you afraid.
All things are passing.
God alone never changes.
Patience gains all things.
If you have God you will want for nothing.

          God alone suffices." ~ St Theresa
"It is love alone that gives worth to all things." - St. Teresa of Avila
"Christ has no body but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
Compassion on this world,
Yours are the feet with which he walks to do good,
Yours are the hands, with which he blesses all the world.
Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,
Yours are the eyes, you are his body.
Christ has no body now but yours,
No hands, no feet on earth but yours,
Yours are the eyes with which he looks
compassion on this world.

Christ has no body now on earth but yours."
~ Teresa of Ávila

In Love and Healing, Amy

Saturday, June 18, 2016

Thoughts about Healing and Nature Today ~

In times of great difficulty we are called to look at our beliefs, our worldview, our passions, over and over again. I find myself when in very difficult times in my life communicating with non human animals and plants. I find myself drawn to the natural world and I feel as though I am centered right in the middle of a huge leaf on a beautiful majestic tree looking out. The tree swaying and gentle peace comforts me and calms my spirit. Looking to the world of people, politics, and religion, I realize again and again there is no peace here. 

Jesus Christ told us not to be of this world: "If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."  John 15:19

I have been on a search for the truth and many offer me solutions. Many offer their translations and their views. I can say with humble sincerity: No human being knows the complete truth. I will write this as politely as I can. I know that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth, and the life. He himself has guided and shown me this many times. But religion and human beings...they do not offer me truth. Some are charging for exorcisms and deliverance and healing, others have to look to higher authority figures for answers. Some seem to know what is evil and what is good. We can trust the Word of God. We can look to God's Word. But we cannot as humans tell others what our Lord and Saviour wants. He is a mystical being that is both human and divine. We need to listen to Jesus. We need to make sure it is the Jesus of the Bible and not an imposter and then we need to sit in quiet and hear Him. This does not come from religion. It comes from our Lord and Saviour and the Word. 
Now I have written about reiki on my blog. I have been searching for the truth regarding reiki. So far it would seem to my small human mind that God has directed me to continue reiki. And so I am. To many people's dismay.  Perhaps I will find along the way I can no longer do this. But right now at this moment I am.

God has gifted me with healing and talking to non human animals and nature. I also communicate with nature when I am painting. From what I have seen and experienced nature and non human animals are in direct connection to God!!! They ARE part of God because they are God's creations. But they have not fallen from grace as we have. They are complete and perfect in their love for God. They have no sin. They do not know sin. When I am communicating with nature and animals I feel God is gifting me with a glimpse of heaven,

Can I say I am certain of everything I have written here? No. I cannot. An i don't believe anyone else can either. Because we live in a world of both good and evil. And these energies can be deceptive. It is our job to sift through and try to discern.  I say "try" because we live in a world of confusion and at times it is difficult to see what is good and what is masquerading as good. New agers have forgotten satan exists and he means to belittle us and destroy God's creation. He hates God's creation and we are after all made in the image of God! We have forgotten this. the enemy wants us to forget. And the christians have forgotten nature and non human animals are part of God too! And they have also forgotten that Jesus told us we could also do healing and other miracles, even saying we could do greater things than He!!! "Believe Me that I am in the Father and the Father is in Me—or at least believe because of the works themselves. Truly, truly, I tell you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I am doing. He will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in My name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.…John 14:12
What are your thoughts? 
In love and Healing,
Amy
"To Love God"
By Amy Drago