Is it possible that we spend most of our time forgetting to live?
Is it possible that we spend much of our time reading love stories and forget to love?
Is it possible that we spend a lifetime reading chapters and verses of scripture and forget there are worlds (realms) that we know little or nothing about?
After last night’s Table Conversations, I sat with these questions. What lingered for me as we ended the delicious and spicy conversation about the Eye of the Heart was a deeper desire to live, to love, and to expand.
Each person at Table shared from their own experiences how Cynthia Bourgeault’s, book, Eye of the Heart (A Spiritual Journey into the Imaginal Realm) offered insight and meaning to their spiritual journey. The flow and ease of these beautiful and expansive conversations invites us to move beyond ‘past certainty’ into an abundance of ‘sacred mystery.’ Gently stepping into waters that are freshly calling us to come into the deep.
Is it possible that I have limited God by binding God into 66 books of First and second Testament?
Is it possible that understanding ‘be in this world but not of it’ (paraphrase of the words of Jesus in the story of John) could’ve been an invitation to explore a higher realm of love?
Is it possible that we want to ‘save every person’ but have forgotten how to fully love all people?
Expansionist theology invites us and gives us permission to embrace the ‘Good within us.’ Cynthia‘s work invites us to expand and gives us permission to begin seeing through the eye of the heart. To expand our view. To go further in. She says, “The sustainability of our world depends on it.”
Table Takeaways from Eye of the Heart
The imaginal realm, not imaginary, but rather an energetic realm. Mystical traditions have long explored and practiced the movement between the realms. Cynthia shares her love story for how she has practiced and experienced this energy.
It is invisible to the physical eye but can be perceived through the eye of the heart.
Our faith can change outcomes in our world by the alchemical exchange of sacred energy.
The Eucharist (bread and cup) is an imaginal exchange. Each time we partake in communion, we are reaching into the imaginal realm to bring more of Christ love and expansion into our world.
Cynthia states that the mystical tradition embraces the eye of the heart practices and postures, but that our world (world 48 as she refers to in the book) often forgets this “great exchange.” Thus her book is here to remind us and invite us to explore this ‘cosmic gift.’
Where have you set your limits?
Is more love pouring in?
Has certainty won out over mystery?
Do you have a similar practice?
After last nights conversation, I believe… It is possible to see with the eye of a heart…
Join Table next Wednesday (June 25, 2025 at 5 PM PST) for our continued discussion and movement towards an expansive and widening practice of seeing with the eye of the heart. Message Table Chat using this link for how to join. Share and invite.
Love Expands the Table ~ Shelly
Love ~ Love is never wasted, for the value does not rest on reciprocity… CS Lewis
I love all this so much! ❤️🔥