Arrival

Every time you leave home,
Another road takes you
Into a world you were never in.

New strangers on other paths await.
New places that have never seen you
Will startle a little,at your entry.
Old places that know you well
Will pretend nothing changed since your last visit.

When you travel, you find yourself alone in a different way,
More attentive now to the self you bring along.
(Excerpt from The Traveller, John O'Donahue,To Bless the Space Between Us)

Weary Travelers have arrived safely in the U.K.  The flight from Newark was gentle and the lines at customs in the U.K. were thin. John our coach driver emerged to pick us up and Tori and Pat, fellow pilgrims easily found their way to our group meeting us in London. We made the trek across England and finally made our destination at Belmont Abbey, a Benedictine community.

Now comes the hard work of "adjusting" to a new rhythm in mind, body, and spirit. What better welcome then the disciplined and beautiful prayers of the monks at this Abbey. Vespers and then compline offered both mystery and stability as the sung prayers of the night lifted to the ceiling with burning incense.  Now our group is fed. Fed with a hearty meal and beautiful prayers. We rest now. Expectant the rhythm of this night welcomes the prayers of our sleep!

Tomorrow we welcome Esther DeWaal, author and spiritual guide.