Contemplative Curiosity: John O’Donohue on Beauty

Noticing and Wondering as Spiritual Practice

For this practice, settle into your space for 10-ish minutes of presence. Sometimes we can connect to the present moment by noticing what comes up in us as we read, listen, or view a “third thing” and reflecting on it. We may discover insight there, too, but we aren’t approaching the practice with the intention of an outcome. This practice is about entering into what’s happening right now, whatever that is.

Instructions:

Center and Check In.

• What do you notice about your breath?

• What do you notice about the physical space you are in?

• Is there anything you’d like to attend to before you begin?

  
  Read the following John O’Donohue quote 1-2 times (silently or aloud).

  Imagine the words being poured out into your hands. There are so many words — you can’t possibly catch them all. Perhaps a couple of words or phrases will land in a way that you can turn toward with curiosity.

The human soul is hungry for beauty; we seek it out everywhere — in landscape, music, art, clothes, furniture, gardening, companionship, love, religion and in ourselves. No-one would desire not to be beautiful. When we experience the Beautiful, there is a sense of homecoming.

Some of our most wonderful memories are of beautiful places where we felt immediately at home. We feel most alive in the presence of the Beautiful for it meets the needs of our soul.

For a while the strains of struggle and endurance are relieved and our frailty is illuminated by a different light in which we come to glimpse behind the shudder of appearances the sure form of things. In the experience of Beauty we awaken and surrender in the same act.

Beauty brings a sense of completion and sureness. Without any of the usual calculation, we can slip into the Beautiful with the same ease as we slip into the seamless embrace of water; something ancient within us already trusts that this embrace will hold us.

John O'Donohue in Beauty: Rediscovering the True Sources of Compassion, Serenity & Hope

Bringing Attention: What Do You Notice?

Are there words or phrases that linger? Or perhaps you have a felt sense of the entire quote.

Read the Quote Again.

Bringing Curiosity: What Do You Wonder?

• As you hold what you noticed, or as you consider the entire John O’Donohue quote, is there a question that comes up in you?

• Is there a cascade of questions?
  
  Sometimes writing these down helps us gently excavate our inner landscape.

  Bookmark it.

  Is there a word, phrase, or question you’d like to carry with you (in a journal, to explore in a conversation with a friend, to spiritual direction)?

  Savor What You Experienced and Appreciate Yourself.

  You took some moments to be present. This was the invitation. Whether or not you experienced something that sticks with you, consider savoring the experience and appreciating yourself for showing up.

  Contemplate the Image.

  You may try a similar exercise with the image above. What do you notice? What do you wonder? Are you drawn to the image? Do you resist it?

Would you like some company or gentle guidance as you listen for wisdom and explore new ways of engaging with your soul? Kirsten offers spacious accompaniment and trauma-informed spiritual direction. I’d love to hear what’s stirring in you and meet with you for a free exploration session.