On Monday, I wrote a post called A Writer's Journey/Rethinking of a Subtitle, in which I wrote about why I feel the need to change the SUBTITLE of my blog.
When I started this blog as part of my journey to publication, The Between represented the deep chasm I perceived between the writing of my four novels and their eventual launch into the world.
It would be a place of rejection and disappointment, with occasional joys and victories along the way--a journey through the dark forest.
Now, after writing over one hundred posts related to my journey as a writer, I have a different take on The Between. I see it as a bridge that connects, rather than a chasm that separates.
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| Photo Credit: Giorgos |
It's a place where one's creative and spiritual lives overlap, a place of fearlessness to tackle difficult matters of the soul, a place where one's true self dwells.
As my definition of The Between morphed from one meaning to another, my SUBTITLE, A Writer's Journey, no longer represented what I was trying to communicate with this blog.
My message is not so much about my journey as a writer anymore, but about spiritual freedom, inspiration, and empowerment, which also happens to be the message of my four novels.
"You have to be in the world to understand what the spiritual is about, and you have to be in the spiritual in order to truly be able to accept what the world is about."
In my mind, The Between now stands for a place of freedom, a place where as David de Rothchild so nicely put it, you "listen to your goose bumps."
In Monday's post, I share some of my ideas for a new subtitle, but that's another story.
My Thursday Two Questions to you are:
- What do you call the dimension outside of the normal five senses where your earthly and spiritual lives overlap?
- What inspiration or understanding do you find (or seek) there?
Thanks for stopping by,
Photo Credit: h.koppdelaney
24 comments:
1. I call that place my intuition. It guides me instinctively on the right path.
2. I see the window to my soul, my authentic self.
Hi Poetic Shutterbug. From all I've been reading lately, trusting your intuition to lead you on the right path (to your authentic self) is a wise thing to do.
1. I call that dimension outside of the normal five senses where my earthly and spiritual lives overlap “the third eye,” which means to dwell in unity. My own experience has taught me that unless there’s a union of the spiritual and the earthly, wholeness can never be attained.
2. The inspiration or understanding I seek there is to know my true self and to dispel illusions and all that isn’t real.
Excellent message here Margaret! I invite you to come by and comment on The Journey, which asks, "Are you journey or destination-driven?
~ Debra
http://debrasblogpureandsimple.blogspot.com
I can't wait to see what you will come up with for your blog. I too feel that my blog has evolved, and it has a mind and soul of its own. I believe you are right on about your blog, as I have read many of your posts. Good action plan so far. :-)
1) What do I call the place outside of my five senses? The miracle, it's when I actually receive a sign from the one above. It's no joke. When I have exhausted everything, all I can do is leave it to him.
2) I only seek guidance and a chance to be the best person I can be with the decisions I make.
Hi Debra. It sounds like you are well aware of the Hidden Dimension or intersection where mind meets spirit in unity. I like how you say you seek your true self there and dispel illusion. I'll visit your blog. Sounds like we are on a similar journey.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Self Sagacity. Change is in the making. Change is good. I like how you call the Hidden Dimension a Miracle, which it truely is, especially when we learn to pay attention and are open to receive its gifts and its guidance to become the best we can be.
I refer to it as the quiet still voice of the Holy Spirit. In this between state, I gather understanding and direction for my life. Sometimes, it's crsytal clear and other times I get a vague impression. Regardless, if I seek the Holy Spirits quideance then I'm set on track where I need to be at any given point.
For me the universe is the fire of creation outside the normal where all ones thoughts go and and return to you---bad follows bad and good follows good. A symbol of how God works.
Hi Cathy. I often refer to my guide to The Hidden Dimension as Holy Spirit or Great Spirit. But no matter what we name our guides, it's amazing what comfort they bring if we only we allow it.
Hi Dorothy. Good thoughts and good intentions are like positive energy that we hold in, send out, and receive in return. I like how you put it, "bad follows bad and good follows good," a symbol of how God works."
1) Besides my five senses, I called it my spiritual guidance.
2) The understanding I get from this guidance is where I seek for advice on my earthly journey!
Hi Icy BC. Spiritual guidance for your earthly journey. Sounds good to me.
Hi margaret, I would call that place, somewhere I strive to be. It's unknown but attainable, a good place. No formal name - just a state of being.
In that place,I would expect to find love, peace, knowledge and an overwhelming sense of acceptance. It would be a good place. berndine
Hi Bernadine. Unknown, but attainable. A state of being, where one finds love, peace, knowledge, and an overwhelming sense of acceptance. I like that. No, I love it! What a wonderful place. Why aren't we trained from the cradle how to connect to this place?
Very interesting questions.
I'm honestly not sure. I know I'm a spiritual being and do have access to God and try to understand that as a person I hav emuch growth before I can come to certain understandings of life in a healthy way.
Hi Margaret. Yes, I love it too. Your comment: Why aren't we trained from the cradle how to connect to this place? In my opinion, that's why are were put on earth and that is exactly what we are doing here - searching for the love, peace, and knowledge wrapped up in the unknown, and that state of being/place is certainly attainable and definately filled with acceptance. Amen. bernadine
unknown truth and acc. bernadine
Hi Jamerican Spice. I once believed I needed an intermediary to access God. But have since learned that there are many ways to access The Great Spirit on our own. What a blessing. And through this connection we grow and, as you say, "come to certain understanding of life in a healthy way."
Hi Bernadine. So true. On of the reasons we were put on this earth is to find that connection. And that's what my protagonist is trying to do in my four novel (though she doesn't know it at first), search for love, peace, knowledge--and spiritual freedom. This definitely takes her out of her comfort zone and into "The Between."
What a wonderful post! I'm always looking for guidance through prayer, signs and intuition to get above my senses!
Hi Margaret,
Your novel sounds wonderful! When is is coming out. I want to read it. bernadine
Hi Doan Legacy. Sounds like we're on the same wavelength.
Hi Bernadine. As my critique partners say, my novels won't get published unless I start querying for agents. I sent out one query in October of last year and got a very nice rejection letter that did not steal hope. I need to start sending out more. My most recent excuse for not doing so is that I want to get clear in my head who my niche audience is, not only for my blog (Need a Platform), but also so I can explain to agents (and they can in turn explain to publishers) what exactly my stories are about. I'm doing a post on Defining my Niche Audience soon (Women? Seekers? Cultural Creatives?). Hopefully, I'll get my act together soon (April?).
Hi Margaret,
I know it is a long journey from pen to publishing, but keep trying, and I'm so glad to hear 'a rejection' does not deter you from sending your your book again. You just haven't found the right one yet, and when you do - the rewards will swallow up the minor pitfalls. Keep us posted. bernadine
Thanks Bernadine. I will.
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