The Pilgrimage

 Today was our day of pilgrimage.  It is not a long one but it was slow, prayerful, filled with pauses and sometimes conversation.  Led by the Abbey staff we departed about 1045 am (not early by any stretch of the imagination) and began our walk around Iona.

Pause one

St. Martin of Tours Cross 

Standing in this place for 1200 years.  Surviving Viking raids and rough weather.  It is weather worn, begins with depictions of the Nativity,  Daniel in the Lion's den, Abraham and Isaac, and David playing the harp.  Here we began our journey with a saint who began as a soldier, encountered a homeless person wearing nothing but rags in very cold weather and was so moved by the person's condition that he took his soldier's cloak which was lamb fleece lined, cut it in half and shared it with the person.  That night he had a vision of Jesus with angels, I was naked and you clothed me... Martin found he was unable to continue in the military and became a soldier for Christ.

The Journey is long, we travel on together.

Pause two

The Nunnery 

Despite having served in the community for 300 years very little is known about the work that they did.  The sad story of a church that valued the work of women less.  At the end only the Abbess' and two others remained.  They had to flee to Mull where they hid in a cave.  As we stood here with the partial walls, the sky above with the vast openness all around us our leader prayerfully read the Abbess' Farewell.  And quietly sang

Bless the Lord my soul, And bless God's Holy name

Bless the Lord my soul, Who leads me into life

Pause three

Martyr's Bay

The landing point. The place of arrival for funeral cortages of Kings and Lords as Iona was considered a special place for burial.

Also the landing place of the Vikings who slaughtered all in their way including in the year 806 sixty eight monks whose life mission was to welcome and offer hospitality.

It is also the site of the island's war Memorial.  For an island with the population of 200 this memorial carries an extensive list of names.

Let there be peace on earth and let it begin with me rose in my heart as we stood on this ground that has seen and absorbed so much death and violence.

Pause four

Erratic Rock

One of these things is not like the others!  And that large granite boulder, firmly placed here is not native to Iona.  It is approximately 800 million years old but not as old as Iona's native rocks which are over 1200 million years old.  They are so old there are no fossils.

Our lives are small and brief in comparison 

Here we listened to excerpts of Psalm 90 

Pause five

The Cross Roads

It is the only crossroads on the island

Rough boggy track

Or the gentler track

Crossroads hang over us at various places and stages of our lives.  We listened to a reading of the Robert Frost poem athe Road not Taken

Robert Frost 1874 –1963

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim,

Because it was grassy and wanted wear;

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I kept the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way,

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference

 

Pause Six

The Raised Beach-- (Mackers) Common ground

Here we let the stones speak, picked one up to throw in the North Atlantic as a symbol of what we wanted to let go of or leave behind.

Pause seven

Bay at the back of the beach

If you set sail you'd land in Newfoundland 

It symbolizes a turning point in our own lives, what is holding us back what do we want to let go of or leave behind.  Here we selected a rock to release as a symbol of the letting go

To let go... By Robert Paul Gillies

To let go does not mean to stop caring,

It means I can't do it for someone else.

To let go is not to cut myself off,

It's the realization I can't control another.

To let go is not to enable,

But to allow learning from natural consequences.

To let go is to admit powerlessness, which means

The outcome is not in my hands.

To let go is not to try to change or blame another,

It's to make the most of myself.

To let go is not to care for,

But to care about.

To let go is not to fix,

But to be supportive.

To let go is not to judge,

But to allow another to be a human being.

To let go is not to be in the middle arranging all the outcomes,

But to allow others to affect their destinies.

To let go is not to be protective,

It's to permit another to face reality.

To let go is not to deny,

But to accept.

To let go is not to nag, scold or argue,

But instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.

To let go is not to adjust everything to my desires,

But to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in it.

To let go is not to criticize or regulate anybody,

But to try to become what I dream I can be.

To let go is not to regret the past,

But to grow and live for the future.

To let go is to fear less and love more...

Remember: The time to love is short...

Pause Eight

Catholic house of prayer 

Hospitality offered in a variety of places on the island this one  opened 1997 and is the first RC presence in nearly 500 years.

Iona's focus is on ecumenism so this hospitality is welcomed along with a newer Orthodox presence that came to the island in 2022.

God of peace, God of love

Hear our prayer 

Stillness

 

Many years ago I did a philosophy course and was assigned the task of writing a paper on the topic "What is Truth?". I struggled writing that paper and my professor very gently suggested that I do as few philosophy courses as possible because my brain just didn't work that way.  So here I am after a day of wandering around Iona about to tell you about the stillness.  There is a stillness!! It would be easy to leave it at that and let you work out the rest but that would perhaps be an injustice to this place and to you.  So I will try to describe it with my limited abilities.

The stillness seems to surround you, someone said it's like an aura.  It is not as if this place is not busy because the island has a steady stream of people coming and going, but the stillness is there.

It was in the hallway yesterday evening as we left the chapel and I was trying to decipher what this prayer said.

Another participant joined me and we laughed together as we tried to figure out the writing.  As we stood there the warden of the Abbey, who refers to herself as "the purveyor of perfect chaos", joined us and was not able to help us either.  And yet in the discussion and the laughter there was stillness.

It is there in large gatherings adjust chaotic conversation, it the quiet of the garden and lands, in the walk through the town and out of it to the beaches.  

So what is the stillness, the aura of this place? The rich history, the violent Viking stories of their history, the commitment to stay and build despite it all?  A lasting commitment despite all that would seem to convince you to leave for something bigger, better, safer.  The stillness defies description.  You feel it deep within and just like the question my professor landed in me years ago I find I am no more able to describe it to you than I was able to explain truth to him.

Descriptions attempted will not do it justice in this particular case you just feel it and let it wash over you and just enjoy the experience.

And the prayer above reads:

Deep peace of the running wave to you

Deep peace of the flowing air to you

Deep peace of the quiet earth to you

Deep peace of the shining star to you

Deep peace of the son of peace to you.  Amen

Amen and let it be so!

 

Time and Space

 Places of rest and refreshment

Places of rest and refreshment are found
sometimes where we least expect them.
In the midst of the chaos of life
when we’re too burdened to lift our heads.

God may throw a stone in our path
over which we stumble upon new vision:
O God, help us to see these stones
as objects of blessing, not of cursing.

Guide our steps through the doors
where a welcome and shared bread awaits,
and help us provide such refreshment
for others you place in our lives.

Yvonne Morland, from 50 New Prayers from the Iona Community

I've heard people say there is something special about this island and there is no doubt that it is true.   The pace of life seems slower and this time of living in community with over forty other participants as well as about thirty staff and volunteers is intended to stretch you.

We were asked to consider two things

What do you hope for from this week?

What will be your greatest challenge?

The second question was a very easy answer for me.  Sharing a room with three other people and common washrooms is a bit more than a stretch for me and lands me in complete discomfort.  My DH remarked that I was going to be greatly challenged and stretched.  I replied but only for six nights and I'm going right back to my comfort zone!

Despite this challenge it is good to be here.  To experience the worship in the Abbey church, to meet new people and hear their stories, to walk the narrow streets and enjoy the feel of the village, to sit by the ocean and smell the north Atlantic salt air and shiver in the cool breeze.

Sunday is a Sabbath day here and we are left very much to our own devices if we so choose.  I so chose and wandered around, window shopped in the local stores, checked out the Iona gift store and didn't see any resources that I don't already own!  And had a quiet day.  The week is aptly called Time and Space and there is lots of both to enjoy.

Ruins of the old nunnery

The old burial chapel where it is said Macbeth is buried in the cemetery 

A local parish church in the village

And let's not forget, highland coos!!

Onwards to Iona

 

Destination --Iona.  After a ferry ride from Oban to Mull, a wait for the local bus we arrived at the next dock for the ferry to Iona.  It was the shortest journey yet!

Some of the sites along the way to Mull

An old Castle fourth century I believe someone said

The lady was all rolling Hills as we journeyed by bus to Iona.  The roads are very (let me emphasize VERY) narrow.  At times the bus pulled into  a lay by to allow another vehicle to go by, occasionally we had to back up and I never saw a guard rail anywhere.  Sheep, coos and fences but no guard rails!  Yes it was a bit nerve racking at times but I assured myself it was not the driver's first time over the road.

First glimpse of Iona

The Abbey

We strolled from wharf where the ferry docked to the Abbey where hot tea awaited and we were told about how we'd be living in community, assigned rooms and tasks.

First impression is the peacefulness, it is a special place to just be.

A glimpse of Oban

...and flights, taxis, train rides and walks.

As many of you know I love reading messages on signs.  This was one that I saw today as I wandered around Oban and explored the little town.

It is a beautiful setting with islands off its coast, a gentle breeze and a hill that would qualify as a mountain by Prairie standards!  All the walking I do on the prairie flat ground told me I had forgotten how to climb those hills like I was used to in my home province.  How embarrassing!!

Google top ten said one of the things that one should do was visit McCaig's Tower.  And never let it be said that I do not explore those top ten items.

It was close to my accommodation for tonight Google said four minutes but it did not say up, up, up a steep hill.  I trudged along and the view was definitely worth it.

The rest of Oban I'm saving for next week when I return from Iona.  The distillery is top on my list as well as the other eight things that Google recommends.  Oh and I think I need an highland coo, they are too cute and unfortunately too big for my carry on!

Until tomorrow dear readers and my next adventure. I'm hoping for smooth waters as we slip the moorings to set sail in the morning.

Glasgow -- City of Murals

 

My blog aptly named paths to explore sees me on yet another journey, this one is solo with my DH left at home.  Glasgow, Scotland was my first stop and as I write I am sitting on a train heading to Oban.  Final stop will be Iona for a week!  So my Sabbatical journey continues seeking and exploring Time and Space.  More like rest and refreshment at this stage!

But Glasgow.  My stay was brief merely an early arrival and an overnight.  My travel agent planned my location and my hotel was right next door to the train station that I needed this morning so no getting lost for that one.  

Exploring the city, at least a very tiny part of it had me wandering the streets with map in hand.  Despite the map, as most of my readers know by now, I can still manage to go a bit off track as I explore!  It was no different in Glasgow.  The hotel offered a hop on hop off map.  I skipped the bus and followed the route...a bit.  Since it was late in the day when I started wandering, after my red eye flight from Canada and I had an early check in and nap, I did not get to many locations that the map marked.  But I did manage a few of the murals and the Cathedral.

The cab driver had warned that Glasgow has changed, crime is up, social concerns have risen and drugs are an issue.  So as my DH reminds me frequently I am not in rural Newfoundland now where you don't worry about safety, robbery or mugging!  But I still wander.

The few murals that I did manage to find on my own (there is a tour offered) were magnificent.  The one at the top of the blog I nearly missed as I walked right alongside of it.  A simple glance and it caught my eye which meant I needed to cross the street to snap the photo.   It cites Article 31 of the United Nations and boldly proclaimed The Future is Ours.  It was near the University so aptly placed and just after I saw the sign....ready for it- Destiny Bible College.  I laughed when I saw the name and I did not explore it further!

There were other murals as I made my way to the Cathedral beautiful and unexplained such as this one.

Cult of St. Enoch

And more self explanatory when you see one like this

Beautiful art work displayed freely for pure enjoyment.  Sadly I only found the three in my wanderings.

The city as is true for most that I have been fortunate to visit has beautiful worn stone where so many others have gone before as well as beautiful architecture to admire.  

The old Cathedral, as only those structures can be was breathtaking and I was fortunate to make the final viewing of the day.

It was quiet and prayerful both inside and out.  No services were offered, I checked,  outside of regular Sunday worship.  

After visiting here I meandered back to the city centre where I was staying, found a lovely spot for dinner--The Citizen with an attentive server, had dinner with my DH via WhatsApp and called it an evening.  Now onward to Oban and enjoying my train ride and the scenery.

Meditation and Meaningfulness

 

Meditation has been a part of my life since I was about 12 and the health teacher introduced the full body relaxation...you begin at your toes and work up the body.  An exercise to help one relax and sleep.  The reason a teenager needed that is a longer story and not needed for here.  Although I will say that I still use this one on occasion.   There are many ways that you can meditate and what works for me may not work for you, it can be deeply personal or far more open.

As part of my Sabbatical I decided to try something completely different. I will confess that it's not something that particularly interested me but since you should always try something new I thought I'd give it a go and enrolled in an online Icon Writing course.    Now meditation is my thing, but I would not have said icons were.  I admire them, appreciate the artwork but have ever needed to bring one home! I've also never held a paint brush (except to paint walls, fences etc) never learned brush stokes.   The learning curve was steep, at least in my mind.

All materials had to be sourced, most weren't locally  available and took some tracking down.  The school was super helpful.  Learning to make egg tempura and mixing pigments sometimes brought me to despair and the instructor assured us all that it was not an exact science,  after all what is one brush of egg? Pigment? It all depends on the size of that brush and how much it holds.  Patience became key!

Patience was necessary every step of the way for the brush strokes that the instructor made look so easy.  For the layer upon layer of paint that was carefully added. Patience as each layer dried and meditate while doing the strokes, waiting, repeating the process for several hours each day.  Ten sessions and no it wasn't a mere ten days.  Each layer and colour required a minimum of five layers, thinner layers were the goal. It was a slow layering process. Ideally you remember to change the direction of the stokes each time.  As you layer you introduce lighter colours for the contrast and shadows with the area getting smaller and smaller to layer (we won't discuss the eyes).  And if you messed up, well the instructor assured you could just redo the area and try again.  Another layer will fix it....yes indeed it does.

The process required quiet space for several hours each session, focus, meditative strokes of the brush, care, waiting, lots and lots of waiting quietly for a layer to dry, for glue to be just right for the gold leafing and meditative music playing in the background. 

The world kept moving.  Life kept happening but for those few hours every day all was quiet in my world and my life as bells rang, kyries were sung and layers were built.  The quietness of the exercise brought excitement to see my imperfect finished product and a quietness to my days as I slowly worked toward that goal.  Is it perfect, definitely not but it is a process with no exact time, no exact measurement. It  requires you to rely on feel and look and wait as opposed to too soon.  An exercise in patience and a new appreciation for the writing and the message of an icon. 

My apologies for not taking pictures every step of the way.  I was too busy practicing and holding the moment instead of the photo.