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Wonder and Learning To See

Wonder and Learning To See

Last updated on: December 15, 2023 at 8:29 am by Teresa Blythe

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Wonder and Learning To See 2023-12-05T13:30:22-08:00 Teresa Blythe

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

Guest blogger Evan Clendenin

I stood there with two people from church, looking out through the window at the full moon and Jupiter. While our hosts fixed dessert in the kitchen, we wonder-ed together at the night sky. They described how looking up at night, or beholding images of far off celestial objects, awakened in them a sense of wonder, of humility, of gratitude, and of faith.

When have you found yourself in wonder at some aspect of the earth and cosmos, the creation?

So we begin some reflections upon the first of Wild Indigo Guild’s 8 Themes of Creation-Restorative Spirituality, Wonder and Learning to See.

Beginning to Wonder

Your sense of wonder at the creation opens a window into ‘seeing’ with God and others.

(I use the word ‘see’ with care, meaning more than the physical sense of sight, out of recognition for those who traverse the world physically blind or with low-vision.)

We grow in ‘seeing,’ in knowing with love and more-whole hearts, with ‘the eyes of our hearts enlightened.’ As you look and encounter the creation in wonder, the restorative work of divine love grows in you and thru you.

What else happens in wonder?

Wonder draws your whole being into the act of ‘seeing’. We might call it awe, reverence, even ‘fear of the lord’, which is the beginning of wisdom. Wonder heralds a response of your whole person. You stand at reverential distance, yet know yourself drawn near.

Reflecting on Wonder

Consider what happens when you encounter such things as…

The beauty of the planets and stars in the night sky.

A forest of trees, glorious in the sunrise.

The song of tiny frogs emerging in vernal pools where history and bulldozers spared a wild swath.

The mystery of bread and wine.

A black bear encountered in the berry patch, or along the trail.

Stopping to Wonder

Wonder ‘slows you down enough to see’, and even flat-out stops you. You now see.

Wonder opens up interior space for awareness. You have room inside to notice things, elements, interconnections out on the land, not to mention people and their ways.

As the folks at supper described with regard to the starry heavens, wonder gives a both grounded sense of self, and a larger sense life. Wonder may awaken other inner capacities, like appropriate curiosity, understanding, compassion, or integrity. These all help you grow more appreciative, attentive and caring with the creation, of which you are a member.

Wonder Expands the Heart

And wonder opens us to more heart-ful and hopeful awareness of God’s restorative work in the land. It can open our vision to where we and others hope to live, even beyond the ecological damages of which we can be unaware, or all too well aware.

In the story of Noah and the ark, as the flood subsides, Noah looks out the window and sends the raven and the dove to search for land, in hope of a place to live. Noah trusted these birds to be his eyes.

Wonder can be a window God makes within you to see. God restores in you the heart to look more with wonder. Wondering with other people, animals, and the Divine help you to see and participate in the fuller realities of the land around you. Your heart can fill with what is good and very good.

Reflection questions

What do you ‘see,’ notice, encounter with wonder where you are?

What is God renewing in you with wonder?

About our guest blogger….

Evan Clendenin lives in Olympia, WA with his wife Amy, and their good dog. He has worked as a horse farmer, market gardener and teacher. He has served in urban, small town and rural ministry settings, currently as interim priest-in-charge with Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit, Vashon Island, Washington. As he has moved around, he tries to better know the land, waters and the ways people live with and love them. In the ministry of spiritual direction he listens with others as they desire to grow contemplatively in the love and knowledge of God in creation and their daily lives.

With Wild Indigo, Evan hopes to offer more such things for your growth in the love and knowledge of God in the whole creation. Learn more about Evan at www.boatandtable.org.

This essay originated on the Wild Indigo website and is used with Evan’s permission. Thank you, Evan!

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