Whispers From The Sanctuary

By Conor McCourt

A hidden, heartfelt mystery is unfolding within the pages of Whispers From the Sanctuary. In this book, Conor McCourt invites the reader to explore this spiritual, thirty-day guide bound in contemporary Christian Mysticism.  Through prayers, reflections, and meditations, the reader receives subtle messages, allowing them to expand and deepen the roots of their faith. Mystical and spiritual contemplations illuminate a path to a veiled reality, a hidden realm untarnished by egoic concepts. As the heart begins to open and discover its essence through the lens of devotion, the soul's greatest intention, at last, reveals itself.

• Language: English
• Publisher: GracePoint Publishing
• Release date: Oct 12, 2022
• ISBN: 9781955272568

Book preview

Foreword

You hold in your hands a small masterpiece of wisdom, compassion, and encouragement we all need but rarely know. Conor McCourt is a Christian mystic who weaves images and timeless wisdom like a tapestry of illumination for the soul as only the Irish can. When I opened and read this manuscript of meditations, prayers, and reflections, I wept because I knew I had crossed a threshold into the eternal. When our suffering is infused with love, love becomes a catalyst for transformation that embodies within us as a deep compassion of the soul. And that is what I experience here. If you aren't careful, these daily meditations may change you for good.

So, may you breathe in these quiet words

Like whispers from the sanctuary of heaven

sinking into the sanctuary of your heart

Breathing healing into your body,

And quickening life to tend your soul.

~Bob Holmes, Contemplative Monk

ACKNOWLEDGMENT

I would like to sincerely thank my early formless spiritual teachers, especially Fr. Anthony De Mello for helping me see life from a different perspective and through a wider vision. Also, my Saintly companions that Spirit guided me towards, St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and St. Therese of Lisieux, whose infused guidance played a significant inspiring role in my contemplative writing. I always felt their presence close to me during the process of writing Whispers from the Sanctuary as my prayers never went unheard whenever I sought inspiration from Spirit and the saints. Many thanks to Carol and the staff of the Armagh Robinson Library who always made me feel so welcome to study and write within the inspiring and elegant 18th century Georgian setting of one of Ireland's oldest public libraries. Also, I would like to thank the members of my contemplative Facebook groups, Soul Whispers and Contemplative Souls, who supported my writings and reflections and encouraged me to produce a book. To fellow authors Bob Holmes and Roger Butts, who both give me heartfelt feedback and support to continue as well as members of the monastic community. To my late parents, Sean and Eileen, whose unseen felt love and support have always been around me.

This book is dedicated to the brave souls who tread the narrow way and preserve therein.

We are all one soul, in whom God dwells. Connected as one soul through seeking virtue, we may be scattered lights throughout the world carried within different clouds. Although we may never physically meet, we are drawn together as pilgrims of peace. Our route back home to the Divine may be as entirely different as the streets we walk upon, but despite our external differences, we live together abiding within the same Spirit, who envelopes and calls us Her very own.

How to Use this Book

Writing and arranging Whispers from the Sanctuary felt like an act of devotion, a humble offering, born from my perseverance to dive deeper into the hidden mystery. This seemed to be unfolding through the conveyance of interior listening and the develop-ment of patience through the readiness of heart to transmit into written words. Each reflective passage I wrote felt like a prayer or as if Spirit was relaying a little truth to my soul, despite my incompleteness. This book is truly from the heart, for I intuitively know that my mind alone could not convey such works. I felt guided throughout the written process of the book, my soul's progression in its unfolding displayed in words. Our spiritual life develops in subtle scenes; if you look back over your life through the lens of devotion you will feel how far you have roamed along the narrow way despite the hurdles, for our soul's greatest intention is to dive deeper into its mirrored substance. Throughout various sections of the book, I have added some personal commentaries that I have been graced with through my spiritual journey, little personal pointers that the reader may find beneficial for their unique pilgrimage back home. In the reflective passages, I have blended in quotations and reflections from Saints. I am drawn to Saints, especially the great mystical writers who conveyed in words such deep devotion, for they touch upon a deeper reality, a hidden realm untarnished by mental egoic concepts.

Before you begin, I would recommend reading a contemplative paragraph and the corresponding reflection in a quiet resting place. Then read each line carefully, open and receptive, as you inwardly digest the contemplative passage and absorb any meaning that you feel drawn towards. The option is available to either read the book in its original daily reflective format or maybe choose to read through the book and highlight the text or reflect on what speaks to your soul. In my Facebook group, Contemplative Soul, I asked members what way they reflected when it came to spiritual reading, below are some member responses.

I practice Lectio Divina with the passages.

I let it nourish an imprint on my soul, without journaling.

Read. Digest. Ponder. Occasionally journal. But mostly breathe it in and let it soak into my soul.

I often copy the words to meditate on and read and reread to do lectin.

I also look forward to your posts of reflections. They resonate very deeply and as I read them with my open heart as part of my morning devotional time, keywords resonate deeply, and it is like the words and their meaning are absorbed in me like a sponge absorbs water. The meanings of your words from your heart convey a deep meaning that my soul is fed and nourished. I copy and paste (not all of them) the ones that my soul deeply feels and put them in my notes on my phone for reflecting on at other times throughout the day. I suppose one could call it electronic journaling. They never lose their depth, and they are words that are responsive, alive, and take a form of their own. Being assimilated during the day, mysteriously.

I will note something that resonates but also read them in quiet surroundings.

First, I do a cursory reading and review the photo. I let it soak in, feel it internally, and reflect on its meaning for me. Lastly, it seeps into my soul, and I carry your phrasing with me throughout the evening.

I read and reread and contemplate what stands out to me.

I read and contemplate. I return to the words periodically.

I read the reflection several times, reflect and sometimes journal the phrases either in part or whole in hopes of returning to them again.

I am both humbled and grateful for the opportunity to share my experiences with fellow pilgrims who can relate or who are looking to expand and deepen their faith through these collections of contempla-tive reflections. I hope my offering will be of benefit.

Day 1

Morning

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A Product of Love

Our true being is rooted in love and designed by love. How special are we to have our existence stirring within the purest element known throughout all creation! Love