Christ in the Desert Monastery

On one of the days, we visited Christ in the Desert Monastery which is quite near Ghost Ranch.  What a magnificent place.  I plan to return there for a retreat at some point next year.  I have known for a long time that landscape is a critical part of my spiritual life.  Being in this part of New Mexico has renewed the connection between landscape and God and my inner life.  Yesterday when I was reading the selection from Leviticus for the daily office, I could visualize God speaking to Moses on Mt. Sinai in a way that was previously not available in my imagination.  

The Stations of the Cross at this monastery are magnificent.  Each cross is a different shape.  I could have sat there for hours.  Another time.

Holy Dirt

One day of our retreat included a trip to Chimayo, a place of great healing. Our group had a healing service at the outdoor altar.  We read the 9th chapter of the gospel of John, the story in which Jesus heals the blind man by putting mud on his eyes.  Chimayo has a room off of the church that contains holy dirt (that IS what they call it) collected from a nearby riverbed.  Our healing service included making a cross on the top of our hands using the holy dirt.  It was powerful.  


The public is welcome to take some of the holy dirt so I filled a bag with about three cups.  Now we will have an additional means of healing for use at St. John's.  The holy dirt, aside from being holy, has an amazing physical property, quite different from any substance I have ever encountered. 


Chimayó is believed by many to be the site of a miracle which occurred about 200 years ago. 
Miraculous healings are believed to have occurred at the site where a wooden crucifix was unearthed. Because of this a chapel was built in 1816 called el Santuario de Nuestro Señor de Esquipulas. This chapel, now commonly called el Santuario de Chimayó, is the destination of thousands of pilgrims and travellers each year who come for various reasons; some hoping to be healed, some simply for curiosity, and some hoping to be restored spiritually by the tranquility and hospitality of the surroundings.

Hike to Chimney Rocks

A window into God

Hiking an unfamiliar trail is like making a new friend. Each turn brings an experience of knowing.  Hiking a familiar trial is like catching up with an old friend.  Both bring solace to this weary soul of mine.  Today I hiked a new trail.  Most of it was a steady but not taxing incline.  Up, up we headed until we were at the highest point around.  It was our group’s day of silence so the three of us hiked in total silence which allowed each of us to hear the flapping of the ravens’ wings. It was heavenly.  

On many hikes, the views come and go, not unlike God.  It is sometimes easier to feel God’s presence than at others; it just is.  Aptly named Chimney Rocks, the view at  the top was spectacular.  God’s creation arrived in full glory.  We could almost touch the rocks.  It reminded me of hiking the trails of Mt. Rainier where you can get close enough to feel as though you can reach out and embrace the mountain. I am falling in love with the rugged nature of this landscape.  The story of Moses climbing Mt. Sinai takes on a whole different meaning.    

The White Place

A Cave at the White Place

The White Place

Today we drove to a area called the White Place, another subject of many of Georgia O’Keeffe’s paintings - a wildly intense place of spiritual depth.  We spent an hour or so walking around this area in total silence.  I found a cave which, in my imagination,  must resemble the kind of space that some of the Desert Mothers or ammas inhabited.  I was ready to climb into this cave but out of respect for the fragility of this area, I refrained.  How did these desert fathers and mothers live?    I must confess that on a perfect day such as we had, life in the desert seems compelling.  What about when it snows, or harsh winds prevail or blinding rain creates mud holes.  Then I’d like to be inside.