Episode 6 — What Begins to Surface

An episode for when something begins to surface — without needing to understand it or move past it too quickly.

In this reflection, we gently notice what comes closer in the presence of God — feelings, ache, or quiet shifts that don’t yet have words. Together, we practice staying with what’s here without rushing toward explanation or resolution, and making space for what hurts without carrying it alone.

More episodes, reflections, and information about my counseling practice can be found at
desertstreams126.com/podcast

I’m glad you’re here.

Transcript

SPEAKER_00 0:01

Hi, I'm so glad you're here. You don't need to do anything to be here or gather anything before we begin. You don't need to remember where you left off. Just arrive as you are. If you're seated, notice what's beneath you. If you're standing, notice the ground holding you. If you're moving, just notice that you're moving. Nothing needs to change for you to be here. Last episode, we began to notice the constant presence of God holding us, regardless of our circumstances or our feelings. Not something we have to create or even reach for. Just already here. Or in the space around you. Or even in the steadiness of your breath. Nothing you have to make happen. Just notice what's already here. Sometimes from within this kind of presence, something begins to surface. Not because you go looking for it, not because you're ready. It just comes a little closer. Not on its own. But because Jesus doesn't rush past what hurts. When you begin to recognize this kind of presence, this kind of holding, it makes space for all of you. What surfaces doesn't always come with words. A weight a shift you can't quite explain. You might notice the urge to move away from it. Or to figure it out or make sense of it. That makes sense. But this isn't the space where you have to do that. Nothing here needs to be explained. Nothing needs to be resolved. You can let it be what it is. And you can stay. Sometimes what surfaces carries ache. Even tears that don't have a clear reason. You can let them come too. Just there. Maybe something that happened. Or something that didn't. Or just something that comes without an understanding. You don't have to sort that out right now. You don't have to decide what it means. Just notice it. You might notice it in your body. A tightening. A heaviness, a holding your breath. Nothing needs to be done about that. You can just simply notice. Between being alone inside what hurts and not being alone with it. You can let it be this close. No closer. You don't have to follow it. You don't have to deepen it. And you don't have to push it away. You are not carrying this alone. Just staying here. Being held here is enough. Sometimes when nothing is rushed, what surfaces begins to shift. Not into answers or a resolution. Just something that can be held. A little less alone. You don't have to go further than this. You don't have to feel or notice anything more than what is already here. As we close, just notice where you are, your body, your breath, what's around you, and what's holding you. Nothing has to be carried out of this moment that you're not ready to carry. We'll keep going like this. Slowly, without pressure. I'll meet you in the next episode.