Revelations of Divine Love<\/span><\/a>. Rather than being written in Latin, as was the convention, they were composed in the vernacular, probably making them much more accessible than would otherwise have been the case.<\/p>\nThe bulk of my spiritual training has been in the Zen tradition, where if, actually for the most part when, one reports extraordinary experiences to one\u2019s spiritual director, the near universal response is \u201cDon\u2019t worry, it\u2019ll pass.\u201d I\u2019ve learned this is good advice. However, given this together with my basically skeptical disposition, I\u2019m not much given to dwelling on visionary experiences, or, and this can be a mistake, giving them much credit. They tend, in my experience and by my observation, in the main to be to be distractions on the way. But, not always\u2026<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve long noticed how our awakening experiences, those precious moments in our lives where our ideas of what is or should be finally drop away, to reveal what actually is; occasionally do take the form of visions. There are a variety of ways to tell whether they\u2019re \u201creal\u201d or not. That is to tell whether they\u2019re just more ego stuff, or are expressions of genuine discovery. Among the ways to check, possibly the most important is to see how one\u2019s life has shifted following these experiences. If there\u2019s no difference in one\u2019s life, or if one builds a fence around the experience, and then spends one\u2019s life defending it against all comers, well, that suggests something. But, if one comes away more generous, kinder, more vulnerable; well that suggests other things. Now, content counts, as well. What happens to those who encounter the revelations? Do they tend to open one\u2019s heart? Do they point toward compassion? Toward love?<\/p>\n
This certainly was the case for Julian\u2019s visions. Her message, framed within a rather traditional embrace of an encounter with Jesus on the cross, was one of overwhelming love. Her experience of love was so powerful that even the idea of hell was overtaken in a promise that all are at the last reconciled.<\/p>\n
Works for me. As a modern it doesn\u2019t hurt that she use a lot of proto-feminist terminology, seeing Jesus as mother, and speaking of the father-mother. Also, works for me.<\/p>\n
But, there\u2019s something more here than congruity with modern spiritual sensibilities.<\/p>\n
Here I think we find a genuine guide on the great way.<\/p>\n
Here, if we\u2019re willing, we find someone pointing toward the great matter.<\/p>\n
Take a look.<\/p>\n
See if you agree\u2026<\/p>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/4.bp.blogspot.com\/_niPwTW3rBbU\/SCmjbD6EXMI\/AAAAAAAAA8Q\/jOFZiXi-L5s\/s1600-h\/juliannorwich.jpg\")
<\/a>I\u2019m a big fan of Julian of Norwich<\/a>. While she was never \u201cofficially\u201d recognized as a saint, her life and teachings have been considered hallowed by Christians of many denominations, as well as many non-Christians. In the Roman church her \u201cfeast\u201d if unofficial, is given a date, the 13th May. Her life is celebrated in the Anglican and Lutheran churches on the 8th of May.<\/p>\n