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.
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.
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