January-March, 2004
Pathways of Light ministers are taught from the first group encounter to “hold the space” for each other. Psychotherapists and counselors are also taught this important concept but not quite so extreme. It is very hard not to want to verbally or physically comfort someone during a painful experience. Holding the Space is so important that we are strongly discouraged not to let ourselves (ego, really) get in the way of some else’s healing. This is a very good spiritual and therapeutic practice.
On the return flight home from Kiel this past August, it occurred to me I should also be holding the space for God, that is the very least I could do. The Muslims have built into their culture to stop whatever they are doing five times a day to “hold the space” for God/Allah. What a wonderful practice this is and I am wondering what this world would be like if everyone would remember God five times a day. If nothing else, it would be a good reminder that we are never ever left alone, not even for one nanosecond. I know this is just an illusion, a miscreated thought.
Some might ask what this would look like. It does not matter what form it takes, just hold the space. Meditation could be used as one form. However, unless one is an experienced meditator it is quite difficult to have no thoughts for more than a minute or two.
Wayne Dyer called this process “getting in the gap” and in fact, has a book out called just that. Eckhart Tolle speaks about “entering the space” Dr. (Brother) Wayne Teasdale and Thomas Keating, Catholic monks, also address this as “lecto divina and the Centering Prayer.” I simply call it “getting into the zone” which I believe is a phrase that athletes use. It is obvious that ‘holding the space” for God is not a new concept but has been called various names.
Mystics (Merton and many of us) also use another form called contemplation. They love to contemplate on sacred and holy things and on God in general. They rarely get fooled by worldly illusions and hold God in their minds most, if not all the time. Mystics not only meditate and contemplate but they pray, usually unceasing along with reading, perhaps studying and teaching to keep close to God (they know they are never separated from the Source). They truly hold the space for the Holy Spirit.
These are a few of the ways one could practice Holding the Space for our Beloved. God is truly wonderful and I cannot conceive of not having this Energy in my life. Thank you God! Thank you!
Rev. Shirley Patterson is a Pathways of Light minister, living in Tacoma, Washington.
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