Compassion at the Heart of Creation

(Originally sent as a newsletter to Colette's community on March 13, 2011)

The body of the Earth is ravaged and torn.

Her cries are my cries...

Her bloody grief flows forth,

wailing prayers of healing

for her Body and mine.

When the veils are ripped away,

the numbness banished, 

all boundaries dissolved,

You have only to break open your heart

to know there is only one wound.

-COLETTE

Beloved Ones,

I am feeling the one wound of the world today, with Japan reeling from the devastation in the wake of Friday's earthquake and tsunami, and the impact of wounds closer to home—the physical, emotional and spiritual trials that many of us are undergoing during these turbulent, revolutionary days.  The Earth and so many of us are suffering, and yet we have a chance to break open our hearts in compassionate communion with one another, and reach out across the illusory lines that divide, to find a deeper gravity well of loving and mutual support.

Last Wednesday, I was utterly overwhelmed with the challenges of my life, weepy with exhaustion, and went out in the middle of the afternoon to see an inspiring new documentary “ I AM” http://iamthedoc.com by Tom Shadyac, the Hollywood filmmaker who rose to fame and fortune directing comedies like “Ace Ventura,” “Liar, Liar,” and “The Nutty Professor.”  “I AM” chronicles Tom Shadyac’s spiritual transformation following a bike accident that left him with a concussion that wouldn’t heal, along with a pervasive depression and despair at his inability to function.  Interestingly enough, in the first few minutes of the film, you see Tom climb into a hyperbaric oxygen chamber as an alternative treatment for his head injury!  You can catch a glimpse in the “I AM” trailer on YouTube.

One of many illuminations in the film arose in a discussion of the mechanistic, “survival of the fittest,” worldview that arose in the wake of Darwin and the Industrial Revolution.  It was a revelation to learn that in Darwin’s “Ascent of Man,” the phrase “survival of the fittest” is mentioned only twice, whereas the word “love “ is mentioned 95 times!  Darwin witnessed a deep sympathy and care in the heart of the natural world, which confirmed his spiritual beliefs that we are all connected at the core.

This sense of compassion and care for those in need has been evidenced in my own life, since I sent out ”Colette's Hope for Healing to my community a month ago, with a call for support so I can get Hyperbaric Oxygen treatments for my chronic health conditions.  I’ve been especially touched by the contributions of friends who have their own financial difficulties, and have shown their support for me nevertheless.  I’m profoundly grateful for the help I have received, and want to thank the all those angels out there who have made contributions towards my healing care.

I’m so ready to climb into the Hyperbaric oxygen chamber, so I can rest and heal!  Stay tuned for the launch of my first blog, “The Crucible of Chronic Illness,” chronicling the 40-day treatment and other insights gleaned from my 8 years dealing with chronic illness. 

When health is absent…

Wisdom cannot reveal itself

Art cannot become manifest

Strength cannot be exerted

Wealth is useless and reason is powerless

-Heraphilies

With the deepest thanks for all your love and support, Colette

"Sophia for the Sake of the World," from Alchemy of the Divine, ©2006 by Colette de Gagnier.  To order prints from this series, please visit Alchemy of the Divine and Colette's Visionary Art Gallery.