Celtic spirituality offers an alternative world view. One that many are actively searching for.
Celtic spirituality is a rare gem. Not a philosophy or construct, it is an ontology. A way of knowing and subsequently of being where an holistic understanding of the inter connectedness of all things human, divine, animal, mineral, plant, and geological interact with equal meaning, equal importance, all holding the essence of the Divine. The earth, sky, sea, sand and all that is contained within them is a connected living organism.
The dualism of the nineteenth century that influenced western thought and consigned us to suffer under the illusion of separation from each other, our bodies, our souls, our own inner knowing and authority, exacted a heavy toll on human consciousness. It also had a devastating impact on the green planet on which we live, as we began to view it less as a part of our own being rather a resource for us to use, extract from, and neglect. The same of animals and birds and every living thing.
It is not surprising that Celtic spirituality has emerged over the last few decades as an antidote and a healing balm to our alienation from ourselves, each other and nature.
Celtic spirituality champions the wholistic view. In Celtic spirituality there is no split between head and heart, divinity and nature, the world we see and the one we do not see. The language of the Celts has always communicated the connections between the land, and its inhabitants. Relationship is a central tenet of Celtic spirituality, where family, friendship, welcome, and hospitality are valued.
I would offer that Celtic Spirituality and creativity as an Ontology for our time offers us a way back. As with many earth based faiths that honor the gift of nature and recognize the essential presence of Divinity in all things. The current culture of war, destruction, dominion, abuse of power, greed, emptiness and loss of reality is a global phenomenon. Celtic spirituality offers an alternative world view. One that many are actively searching for.
In the week together we will explore some of the elements of Celtic spirituality that can help us heal ourselves and our world. We will see how Celtic spirituality and creativity are intertwined, how our creativity is an essential part of self, and selfhood. Opening ourselves to the healing power of nature, giving ourselves this gift of time to let the land speak to us, to breathe deeply, to listen to our own deep longing, and recognize our unique gifting, that signature written across our souls that only we know and can offer the world.
