Your Thin Places (ritual, Earth, mystic, grace, experience)

[lunamoth]

In the Christian worldview our world and God's heaven overlap and intersect in some mysterious way, and at times God breaks through into our world and consciousness. These times and places where heaven and earth meet are sometimes called 'thin places,' which I believe comes from celtic symbology. Thin places might be anywhere where prayer and worship are conducted, the Eucharist, or during other sacraments. They can also be actual places that stir our souls to look toward God or the More by whatever name we give to Divinity (or for some of us whatever name we don't ).

I was reminded of thin places today as my family and I enjoyed an afternoon in the nearby mountains, driving up Pike's Peak on this gorgeous Autumn day. The majesty of the mountains feels like a thin place, and of course mountains have always played an important role as thin places in various religious stories as well. We drove back through a park near Colorado Springs called Garden of the Gods, a truely mystical and amazing place right on the edge of the city.

Pikes' Peak viewed from Garden of the Gods:


Garden of the Gods Rock Formations:



Garden of the Gods is well-named; it is a place where heaven and earth seem to touch.

My top thin place though is in upstate NY, near where I was born. I love Ithaca, NY and it's beautiful gorges. I miss them this time of year when the foliage was at its most brilliant. I felt like I was in heaven when I walked through the many gorges of Ithaca, and Ithaca is where I experienced my spiritual awakening.

An Ithaca gorge:



What or where are your thin places?

[lunamoth]

A few more.

[Quagmire]

I could stare at those pictures all night Luna.


When the armour of one's ego has been ground thin by the rough surface of reality...

A little warmth of daylight might be able to seep in for a moment. Maybe even a bit of light itself, depending on how hard the helmet's been hit.

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Quagmire

I could stare at those pictures all night Luna.


When the armour of one's ego has been ground thin by the rough surface of reality...

A little warmth of daylight might be able to seep in for a moment. Maybe even a bit of light itself, depending on how hard the helmet's been hit.

Being at the end of one's rope is a very thin place.

[Quagmire]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

Being at the end of one's rope is a very thin place.

'Frayed knot.

[lunamoth]

Originally Posted by Quagmire

'Frayed knot.

Each to his own a-cord.

[Quagmire]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

Each to his own a-cord.

Now, now, it's nothing 'twine about.

[Quagmire]

I was once at the end of my rope so I climbed up, and do you know where I found myself?

At the other end of my rope.

[lunamoth]

Rick Rick Rick, you are derailing my nice little thread, and I see that Ms. Moth (my evil twin) is assisting you. Stop it you two!

Now, are you going to show us some pretty pictures or at least give us some Dr. Seuss verse?

[Quagmire]

Originally Posted by lunamoth

Rick Rick Rick, you are derailing my nice little thread, and I see that Ms. Moth (my evil twin) is assisting you. Stop it you two!

Now, are you going to show us some pretty pictures or at least give us some Dr. Seuss verse?

Ah, the spaces and places that wear themselves thin,
And let all the goodness and graces shine in,

Air-holes for our souls to derive inspriation,
(all too often plugged fully with cow defication).