Questions I have about "Thin Places"

What I know: (Author)

1. There is a feeling about a place that we call "thin places" that is thicker and stronger. A sense of something peaceful and yet gloriously alive; of Joy lurking somewhere in the landscape. Molly Wolf

2.According to Celtic Christianity, a thin place is any place where the wall between this material world and the realm of the divine becomes so thin that we can experience a glimpse or a taste of the glory, majesty and love of God. Rev. Dean Snyder

3 In the Celtic tradition such places that give us an opening into the magnificence and wonder of that Presence are called "Thin Places". There is a Celtic saying that heaven and earth are only three feet apart, but in the thin places that distance is even smaller. A thin place is where the veil that separates heaven and earth is lifted and one is able to receive a glimpse of the glory of God. A contmeporary poet Sharlande Sledge gives this description,

"Thin places," the Celts call this space,

Both seen and unseen,

Where the door between the world

And the next is cracked open for a moment

And the light is not all on the other side.

God shaped space. Holy. Author: Sylvia Maddox

More from Sylvia Maddox: There is a Celtic saying that heaven and earth are only 3 feet apart, but in the thin places that distance is even smaller. She goes on to say that a thin place requires us to step from one world to another and that often means traveling to a place where we have less control and where the unpredictable becomes the means of discovery. These sanctuaries of creation help us as John O'donohue writes, "to anchor our longing in the ancient longing of Nature."

4. Christian Celts spoke of "thin places" = places where worlds were particularly close to each other. Places where, if you were quiet enough, you could hear the murmurings of God. Author mentions Jerusalem, he says that caves were votive places. The notion of a holy place, the place where the divine is more than usually accessible, is persistent. He also says that "Pilgrimage is often spoken of as a return to one's own sacred center." Author: Charles Foster

5. Mindy Burgoyne writes in a blog called "When God is Silent". A thin place is a place on earth where the veil between this physical world we experience with our five senses and the eternal world is "thin". The eternal world is more neaer. These "thin places" were not made thin by you or me or anyone else. They are inherently thin, which is a mystery. There is a cosmic, mystical quality to the place itself that transcends the senses. The physical world and the Otherworld (the world of the Divine Presence) are knitted together. Author: Mindy Burgoyne

6. Karl E. Peters, Unitarian Society of Hartford, brings in the idea of Marcus Borg and Teilhard de Chardin who called this the "divine milieu", the divine holy environment. It's always there, but in a few instances, in thin places, it begins to become manifest in our lives more clearly. People, rituals may become thin places, so can small children, and places of worship.

Peters says that Borg states that "thin places" is more than one way a person moves from closed to open heart. One of them is encounters with thin places. It is a Celtic Christian metaphor for coming to contact with the sacred, which is present all around us, but which is hidden from us. Author: Karl E. Peters

New blog is being created on Monday.

When a person gets into blogging, it is amazing what one learns. I did everything wrong and learned by trial and error. I will be closing down this site on Monday but, in the meantime, need to use it to do my daily study. Nothing personal will appear on it about old family stories, etc. for it will be geared more to people who share common interest about things theological and I am finding more of them every day and learning from them.

So, to continue with my research on "Thin Places", I have found Charles Foster's book to be a jumping off place. It activated my mind. What are these thin places where one meets God more easily. Other bloggers and authors about this subject who I find interesting:
Rev. Dean Snyder
Sylvia Maddox
Mark Roberts
Mindie Burgoyne --Ireland's Celtic "thin places". When I was in Ireland, I wish I had known about this. I will check out also the new book I just ordered about North American sites. I also want to find the picture I made in Ireland and check my camera and itinerary for other sites.

Why do you want to go to "thin places?" Mindy Burgoyne, excellent writer but don't know about credentials --seminary and the like--writes in a blog called "When God is Silent." A thin place is a place on earth where the veil between this physical world we experience with our five senses and the eternal world is "thin." The eternal world is more near. These "thin" places were not made thin by you or me--or anyone else. They are inherently thin, which is a mystery. There is a cosmic, mystical quality to the place itself that transcends the senses. The physical world and the Otherworld (the world of the Divine Presence) are knitted together.

Karl E. Peters, Unitarian Society of Hartford--strange source for me brings in the idea of Marcus Borg and his thoughts. I need to check and see if I don't own Borg's book - recommended by Andy Pratt. Peters says that Borg says that "thin places" is more than one way a person moves from closed to open heart. One of them is encounters with thin places.
It is a Celtic Christian metaphor for coming in contact with the sacred, which is present all around us, but which is hidden from us.

He also quotes Teilhard de Chardin, who called this the "divine milieu" the divine holy environment. It's always there, but in a few instances, in thin places, it begins to become manifest in our lives more clearly. People, rituals may become thin places so can small children, and places of worship.

Just called Bev Hickam who will go to lunch with me tomorrow and we can talk about thin places in New Mexico. Also call up de Chardin and check out divine milieu and thin places.

Thin Places

I never really remember hearing the phrase "thin places" until I came upon it while reading the review book of Charles Foster. He says that the early Christian Celts spoke about "thin places" -- places where worlds were particularly close to each other. Places where, if you were quiet enough, you could hear the murmurings of God. Then he goes on to mention Jerusalem, he says that caves were votive places. The notion of a holy place, a place where the divine is more than usually accessible is persistent.

He also says that "Pilgrimage is often spoken of as a return to one's own 'sacred center." To me, this is a place where you meet God. That defines holiness to me. It can be on a plane with 547 passengers and you are in a seat all alone but you feel his presence.

Sylvia Maddox writes: In the Celtic tradition such places that give us an opening into the magnificence and wonder of that Presence are called, "Thin places". There is a Celtic saying that heaven and earth are only three feet apart, but in the thin places that distance in even smaller. A thin place is where the veil that separates heaven and earth is lifted and one is able to receive a glimpse of the glory of God."

She goes on to say that a thin place requires us to step from one world to another and that often means traveling to a place where we have less control and where the unpredictable becomes the means of discovery. These sanctuaries of creation help us as John O'donohue writes, "to anchor our longing in the ancient longing of Nature."

I will read other writers.

Book Review : The Sacred Journey by Charles Foster

I finished the book review today and blogged it to Thomas Nelson. In the blog, I said that there were three points that I wanted to do explore as "shards" of this book.

They are:

l. The idea of "thin places". The early Christian Celts spoke about them--places where world were particularly close to each other. Places where if you were quiet enough, you could hear the murmurings of God. (p. 125 in book)

2. The idea of "synchronicity" (p. 164 in book) It means that when you really need something and often, when you really want something, it is there. It is rightly said that when you pray, coincidences happen.

3. The idea of a trip back to childhood (p. 144 in book) "Every pilgrimage is a journey backward. Every pilgrim's step is a step toward his childhood. And that, in the paradoxical logic of the kingdom, is the only way to go forward. It is only children who inherit the kingdom."

These are exciting thoughts to me. I will continue to explore their meaning to me.

Where to? To Thin Places?

The early Christian Celts spoke about "thin places" -- places where world were particularly close to each other. Places where, if you were quiet enough, you could hear the murmurings of God."
The author says that Jerusalem is one of those places.

I agree. When I was there on tour, I remember my visit to the Jordan River, my Gethsemane visit taking the Lord's Supper, and my outing on the Sea of Galilee. I recall my riding of a camel on the Jericho Road and the trip to the Via Dolorosa where I bought a chalice for Beth Jordan. But, more than that, I remember the trip to the Wailing Wall. I wrote to my mother about all of these experiences. They were places "thin places" where you could hear the murmurings of God.

There are other such places in my life. The author writes, "The notion of a holy place, a place where the diverse is more than usually accessible, is ubiquitous and persistent." There are caves, sacred groves, churches even -- First Baptist Church in Charleston is one of those churches to me. I can't remember Daddy ever preaching there but it is a sacrosanct place to me--we have buried our loved ones in that place. As Arthur Nelson used to sing, "When it's glory unfold, I have riches untold, for I'm laying my treasure up there."

I shall continue to search for "thin places". It means I am alive in Christ. Yesterday I went to Martha Bray's funeral and I sat by John Bierk. I know he is an athiest but I felt sorry for him as the minister talked about "going home". I sort of wanted to ask him, "Where are you going?" and will you know it when you arrive.

Camus, Sartre, Proust and other intellectuals who defeat me...

I am reading two books at one time--strangely they are interwoven. "The Sacred JOurney" by Charles Foster, which I am reviewing for Thomas Nelson, and "The Shell Seekers" by Rosamunde Pilcher. I ordered it after seeing it on television Hallmark with Angela Lansbury as the lead. It is all about pilgrimage.

I am reading and thinking. The idea of pilgrimage is breathtaking and absurd, at the same time. I am like so many people I know who are not finding a sense of God in the churches of today; and yet, is this all there is--old song by Peggy Lee. Penelope in The Shell Seekers is a woman who has tied herself to the past but is fiercely independent about her present. She holds on to her father's painting because it is who she is --not because of the money that it is worth for others to talk about.

The Sacred Journey is the same.
Lines:
"There is a 100% encounter rate on a pilgrimage."
"Reclaim the ability to be taken by surprise, and you'll see it there, glistening so brightly you will never believe you could have missed it."
"But what sets the pilgrim apart from the list-ticker is that he hopes, and at some level believes, that someone will hear his footsteps coming from afar, and as he approaches the threshold, that person will open the door and bid him to come in and eat.'

Bias to the Wanderer

I never thought how much that the story of God is tied up with wanderings--From Abraham (why didn't God call a 'local' boy) to Christ calling his followers to follow him--leave their nets and go into a place where they had not been before. Enchanting luring thought. C. S. Lewis said that there is really only one law: everyone always gets what he wants. I have to think this over. Maybe that is in the end. It reminded me of the Wandering Jew plant and its connection to this story.

Another line connects: "The penalty for wanting to be a settler is that you become one. Pillars of salt don't go on exhilarating marches from well to well."
"We live but a fraction of our lives."

This is a book that makes the reader want to grasp more of life.