Treading the Path of Courage & Curious Daring

The Atlantic Ocean @ Sunset. Thanks Chris!

When I was younger — and, if I am honest, I still have the twinges — I was envious of prophets.  The way they connect to the Sacred just amazes me.  I am in awe of how their curious daring opens them to see the extraordinary instead of the mundane.  The courage a prophet shows when sharing her/his experiences reflects a depth of inner peace. Prophets model a profound, intimate connection to the Sacred.

But, now I find myself asking questions:  Does a prophet have some special connection to the Divine that I can only dream of? Is he or she really so different from me?

I found the question underlying these question lodged deeply within my heart:  Do I have a prophetic nature?

I discovered the answer to the question of my heart by using both my head and my heart.  A prophet has nurtured the environment of silence in his/her quiet mind.   Within this silence, a prophet looks beyond the superficial facts and the mundane world while understanding that things are often not as they appear.  Here within the silence of the quiet mind tough questions are asked, and the answers are patiently waited for.  S/he receives the answers, and Divine Grace flows through him/her.  This Divine Grace is the impetus for his/her response.  Any response of a prophet is always the result of a reflective process.

It seems that prophetic experience has five profound steps.  It begins with the intent to live fully to her/his life purpose.  Next, a prophet meditates or is mindfully aware of the presence of the Sacred in her/his life.  Prayer is integral — it is the way a prophet communicates her/his desire to be filled with Divine Grace.  After the prayerful request, comes the time of waiting.  Contemplation is the sitting in silence while waiting patiently for the response. Finally, with courage daring and courage a prophet acts upon what s/he has received.

I believe that each of us has a prophetic nature. We are called to live from this place by questioning without judgment or defensiveness what is occurring in our unfolding life. When we listen with the ear of our heart (full body listening), we are given the sustenance to experience our prophetic nature and share our messages with the world.

As prophets, we know that the question is as important as the answer. We realize that both have the potential to transform our personal life and the world around us. A prophetic life is radically lived with the willingness  to follow the call of divine wisdom.

How are you living from your prophetic nature?

It's All Good! Vanessa

www.healingwillow.com