SOLACE: Soul + Grief
This podcast is sponsored by SOULPLUSGRACE serving the San José area, offering grief support and grief journeying with spirituality. I hope to help you travel through grief with God at your side.
"I am a trained Spiritual Director for those who seek to complete the 19th Annotation of St. Igantius’ spiritual exercises OR seek spiritual direction while grieving. I have also worked as a hospital/cemetery chaplain and grief doula. I believe all paths lead to God and that all traditions are due respect and honour. I take my sacred inspiration from all of my patients and companions–past, present and future; the Dalai Lama, James Tissot, St. John of the Cross, the Buddha, Saint Teresa of Ávila, and, of course, Íñigo who became known as St. Ignatius. I utilize art, poetry, music, aromatherapy, yoga, lectio divina, prayer and meditation in my self-work and work with others. I believe in creating a sacred space for listening; even in the most incongruous of surroundings."
BACKGROUND
- Jesuit Retreat Center, Los Altos, CA -- Pierre Favre Program, 3 year training to give the Spiritual Exercises of Saint Ignatius
- Centro de Espiritualidad de Loyola, Spain -- The Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius of Loyola -- 30 Day Silent Retreat/
- Center for Loss & Life Transition – Comprehensive Bereavement Skills Training (30 hrs) Ft. Collins, CO
- California State University Institute for Palliative Care--Palliative Care Chaplaincy Specialty Cert. (90 hrs)
- Sequoia Hospital, Redwood City, CA -- Clinical Pastoral Education
- 19th Annotation with Fumiaki Tosu, San Jose, CA, Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
- Santa Clara University, Santa Clara, CA M.A. – Pastoral Ministries
CONTACT ME: candeelucas@soulplusgrace.com with questions to be answered in future episodes.
SOLACE: Soul + Grief
Soul's Journey Through Grief
Today we share profound verses from Rumi's "Fountain of Fire" that explore the intersection of love, life, and death. These ancient words offer comfort and new perspectives for those navigating the complex landscape of grief.
• Exploration of Rumi's poetic wisdom on how the known merges with the unknown
• Reflection on the continuity between this life and the next
• Reminder that the soul cannot be confined by physical death
• Encouragement to practice kindness
• Invitation to view death as transformation
Remember I'm always available for spiritual direction by Zoom to those who are grieving.
Listen every Friday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and Amazon Music for spiritual direction, art, and workshops shared through Santa Clara University, https://events.scu.edu/markey-center/event/344943-spiritual-accompaniment
You can reach us at: candeelucas@soulplusgrace.com.
SPIRITUAL DIRECTION WHILE GRIEVING IS AVAILABLE
Art: https://www.etsy.com/shop/vasonaArts?ref=seller-platform-mcnav
and https://fineartamerica.com/profiles/candee-lucas
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2SFH4Z6
Music and sound effects today by: via Pixabay
I welcome you to Solace: Soul + Grief. My name's Candee Lucas and I'm a grief chaplain. I accompany those who are grieving any kind of loss and I ask that you let me accompany you today. You're always welcome in this circle of healing, love and support. Remember we are all on this journey together. The following are verses from Rumi's-- Fountain of Fire, the Musings on Life and Death--.
Candee:Look at love how it tangles with the one fallen in love. At love how it tangles with the one fallen in love. Look at spirit how it fuses with earth, giving it new life. Why are you so busy with this or that, or good or bad? Pay attention to how things blend. Why talk about all the known and the unknown? See how the unknown merges into the known. Why think separately of this life and the next, when one is born from the last?
Candee:Look at your heart and tongue. One feels, but deaf and dumb. The other speaks in words and signs. Look at water and fire, earth and wind, enemies and friends all at once, the wolf and the lamb, the lion and the deer, far away yet together. Look of the unity of this spring and winter manifested in the equinox. You too must mingle, my friends, since the earth and the sky are mingled just for you and me.
Candee:Be like sugar cane sweet yet silent. Don't get mixed up with bitter words. Silent, don't get mixed up with bitter words. My beloved grows right out of my own heart. How much more union can there be? Come on, sweetheart, let's adore one another Before there is no more of you and me.
Candee:A mirror tells the truth. Look at your grim face. Brighten up and cast away your bitter smile. A generous friend gives life for a friend. Let's rise above this animalistic behavior and be kind to one another.
Candee:Spite darkens friendships. Let's rise above this animalistic behavior and be kind to one another. Spite darkens friendships. Why not cast away malice from our hearts? Once you think of me, dead and gone, you will make up with me. You will miss me. You may even adore me. Why be a worshiper of the dead? Think of me as a goner. Come and make up now. Since you will come and throw kisses at my tombstones later, why not give them to me now? This is me, that same person.
Candee:I may talk too much, but my heart is silence. What else can I do? I am condemned to this life. I've come again, like a new year, to crash the gate of this old prison. I've come again to break the teeth and claws of this man-eating monster we call life. I've come again to puncture the glory of the cosmos who mercilessly destroys humans. I am the falcon hunting down the birds of black omen before their flights. I gave my word at the outset to give my life with no qualms. I pray to the Lord to break my back before I break my word.
Candee:How do you dare to let someone like me, intoxicated with love, enter your house? You must know better. If I enter, I'll break all this and destroy all that. If the sheriff arrives, I'll throw the wine in his face. If your gatekeeper pulls my hand, I'll break his arm. If the heavens don't go round to my heart's crush, I'll crush its wheels and pull out its roots. You have set up a colorful table calling it life and asking me to be your feast, but punish me if I enjoy myself. What tyranny is this? You mustn't be afraid of death. You are a deathless soul. You can't be kept in a dark grave. You are filled with God's glow. Be happy with your beloved. You can't find any better. The world will shimmer because of the diamond you hold when your heart is immersed in this blissful love, you can easily endure any bitter face around. In the absence of malice, there is nothing but happiness and good times. Don't dwell in sorrow, my friend.
Candee:Don't mistake me for this human form. The soul is not obscured by forms. Even if it were wrapped in hundredfolds of felt, the rays of the soul's light would still shine through. Beat the drum, follow the minstrels of the city. It's a day of renewal, when every young man walks boldly on the path of love. Had everyone sought God instead of crumbs and copper coins, they would not be sitting on the edge of the moat in darkness and regret. What kind of gossip house have you opened in our city? Close your lips and shine on the world like loving sunlight. Shine like the sun of Tabriz rising in the east. Shine like the star of victory. Shine like the whole universe is yours. That again is the poet Rumi in the arms of the beloved.
Candee:How should the soul not take wings when from the glory of God it hears a sweet, kindly call why are you here, soul Arise? How should a fish not leap fast into the sea from dry land when from the ocean so cool the sound of the waves reaches it? How should the falcon not fly back to his king from the hunt when from the falconer's drum it hears to call oh, come back. Why should not every Sufi begin to dance atom-like around the sun of duration that gives from impermanence. What graciousness and what beauty, what life bestowing, what grace, if anyone does without that. Whoa, what air. What suffering. Oh fly, oh fly, oh, my soul bird, fly to your primordial home. You have escaped from the cage. Now your wings are spread in the air. Oh, travel from brackish water Now to the fountain of life. Return from the place of the sandals Now to the high seat of souls. Go on, go go on. We are coming, we are coming, oh soul, go on, go on, we are going and we are coming, oh soul, from this world of separation to union a world beyond worlds. How long shall we be here? How long shall we be here? How long shall we, here in the dust world, like children, fill our skirts With earth and stones without value and broken shards without worth? Let's take our hand from the dust grove. Let's fly to the heavens high. Let's fly from our childish behavior and join the banquet of men. Call out, o soul, to proclaim now that you are rules and kings. You have the grace of the answer and you know the question well.
Candee:That concludes this week's episode. You can find us on Apple, Spotify or Amazon. Feel free to send any questions you might have about grieving to my email. In the show notes I'll try to answer any questions you have in the future. Remember I'm always available for spiritual direction by Zoom to those who are grieving. Please reach out to me if you have this need. Be safe. Travel with God always at your side. Vaya con Dios.
