“There is a secret place. A radiant sanctuary. As real as your own kitchen. More real than that. Constructed of the purest elements. Overflowing with the ten thousand beautiful things. Worlds within worlds. Forest, rivers. Velvet coverlets thrown over featherbeds, fountains bubbling beneath a canopy of stars. Bountiful forests, universal libraries. A wine cellar offering an intoxication so sweet you will never be sober again. A clarity so complete you will never again forget.” ~ St. Teresa of Avila

There is a secret place inside of me that is realer than the sorrows of this world. What a powerful thought.

St. Teresa describes this place in detail, but few there be that find it.

I look within myself and see that I don’t understand her descriptions yet I feel their truth and it is calming.

How can I remember what needs to be remembered? That is the ultimate question that I have. In forgetting, I become hostage to the hostile world of men.

I look at who is generating the political news. I look at who and what I am reacting to. And how I am emotionally charged by what I discover.

I am letting the news of the world enter my sacred space, my secret place that St. Teresa describes and that I feel the truth of what she said centuries ago. She didn’t live in the political landscape of today.

Where I live is not as important as what influences me. If I let negativity influence me, I become negative and pass that energy on to everyone I meet.

However, and this is a big however, the truth must be told. We cannot throw a blanket of roses on top of it. No, we should see clearly what is wrong.

This clarity enables us to function in the world of men, clearly seeing right from wrong. But we must also look within to see where we are enjoying the negativity that today’s world generates.

Ultimately I look to the words of the Master. “Let not your heart be troubled. Neither let it be afraid.” A mantra worth imbibing like a fine glass of wine.

Drink the body and blood of the teachings and then let us see what happens next.

Vicki Woodyard