by Michelle Vass.

A short trip to Jessie Gap and a walk along the Yeperenye Trail is sufficient to connect to the spirit of the land, to come home to the heart, and breathe easy. Each of the gaps and gorges around Alice, has its own charm. The smaller ones are often quieter and give the opportunity to luxuriate in the silence alone. Reflecting on my visit in the days that followed, these quotes came to mind…

Words give way to loving presence
a busy mind to stillness
in the intimacy of prayer.

Noel Davis
The Joy of Living Our Heart’s Knowing and Imagining, Lifeflow Education, Narooma 2022, p 144.

Listen, Theresa Penangke Alice

I love the sounds of the ancient
world. I like to listen to the deep
sound of the old chanting songs. It
connects me back to the timeless
land, the land that only the spirits
walk. It teaches me to listen with my
heart. My heart opens and releases
my spirit, deep into the land. It sings
and dances as it goes deep
into the land. The knowledge fills
my heart, songs of the land. The songs
make me dance with the wind.

Arelhekenhe Angkentye
Women’s Talk – Poems of Lyapirtneme from Arrernte Women in Central Australia, Running Water Community Press, Central Arrernte Land, 2021, p 107.

Do not let your hearts be troubled; trust in God and trust in me…
This is the Spirit of truth whom the world cannot receive because it neither sees him nor knows
him. But you will know him for he is with you and will be in you…
Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you.
The Gospel Of John, Ch 14: 1,17, 27.

Where do you go to connect to the land and let the Spirit speak to your heart?

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Michelle Vass is our Meditator-In-Residence for the months of August-September. Michelle will be leading a silent retreat at Campfire in the Heart (5-8 Sept) and is offering two introductions to Christian Meditation and the Labyrinth (14 & 17 Sept).