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From the heart to the heart ... Egypt pulsates new life << Previous Next >>
Guest author: Regina Roman
Spiritual Directors International member Regina Roman leads contemplative pilgrimages to Egypt. She shares thoughts and images with us. Please pause with her insights. Notice what her photographs evoke within you.
First and foremost, Egypt is about the people. I have watched these children grow and mature the past eight years. What has happened in Egypt is about all the people and if we are a contemplative people, then we by nature are called to love all people. To me this photograph represents the gracious, generous, and joyful nature of the Egyptians. Even Herodotus, a 5th century BCE historian, wrote, "Of all the nations of the world, the Egyptians are the happiest, healthiest and most religious." They, like us, want to be able to feed their families, educate their children, and have the freedom to pursue meaningful work as well as joyful play. These are the faces of the past but also of the future!
Dr. Rabia is my dear friend and colleague. In ten years of offering pilgrimages together, we have seen much and many changes--prayer has been constant. Here Dr. Rabia prays with his prayer beads, contemplating the immense history of Mount Sinai and perhaps its future. Our greatest participation in this great story of evolving humanity is to live with a contemplative stance of goodwill towards all people.
"Sunrise in the Sinai"
Early morning during a pilgrimage in 2008 this image greeted me. I felt as if a universal heart was surrounding the sun, calling all of us to participate in our common humanity. This is only the beginning of what will be a very difficult journey for Egypt but the hope is there for a brilliant new day!
My pilgrim prayer beads ... they go with me on all my pilgrimages. This image was during our last journey in September 2010. They rest on a rock in the Sinai Desert during our silent time.
The cross is Ethiopian, one of the first churches to emerge in Christianity, and I love the circle surrounding the equilateral cross—for me, this symbolizes our unity from all directions—north, south, east, west—we all belong together as one. The ten beads are from a one hundred year old Ethiopian prayer bead rope prayed by who knows how many monks. And the shell is the the symbol of the pilgrim—at home nowhere with no fixed place, yet home everywhere for home is in the heart. What happens to our Egyptian brothers and sisters also happens to us. I continue to hold these beads with the loving intent for their good ... to will for the good of another is love.
On the path towards the peak of Mount Sinai ... this speaks for itself. Unfortunately, the pole is no longer there but peace can prevail when it comes from the heart to the heart. My Coptic Christian friend and our pilgrimage guide, Hany (pronounced honey), who had a neighbor die in the recent clashes leaves us with these sweet words:
"I want you to know that I'm very appreciative of your love, concern and thinking of us in those very difficult and unprecedented times, hoping everything will be quiet and safe within those few coming weeks or months. Remember me to all the friends." -- Hany
Regina Roman [USA] is a spiritual guide, retreat leader, and leads pilgrimages through Sapira--Journey with Purpose.
Please add your thoughts to this post by replying with a comment.
02/12,2011, at 21:32
as the site opened and the children appeared my thought was children represent the hope of the world and universally, all are our children
02/13,2011, at 19:30
Mmmmm! I went on pilgrimage to Egypt with Regina in September. Dr. Rabia was our guide in the desert and Hany was our guide in Cairo, teaching us about Coptic Christianity. I fell in love with Egypt, the people, the land, and the river. My feet stand firm in this love and I pray with the Life-Giving power, so evident in creation, to carry the people of Egypt through this time of transition and transformation.
02/14,2011, at 10:08
What amazing pictures! I absolutely love the picture of the three children- see the joy,love, and honesty on their faces, and in their eyes! I have been on three pilgrimages to Egypt with Regina, and each trip is more amazing than the last. I never thought that possible. Egypt is home...the joy, love, and honesty seen on those children's faces, is felt too from all whom I encountered on my journey.
02/14,2011, at 13:09
The early morning sunrise in the Sinai (that was too early for me to be awake) reminds me of the corona we saw at the alignment at Carnac in 2007... and this speaks of the eternal continuity surrounding us. Different years, different sites..and yet so the same.I hope this continuity..tied to Egypt's long history..can give hope and solutions to the people of Egypt as they move into a new era. Peace, hope, joy, and prosperity as they move forward.
02/17,2011, at 10:43
Regina, I sent this on to a group of 4 friends who are off to Haiti soon as I know they are open to see the heart & soul of the people . And that the connections made will be of the universal heart . To be reminded of CONSTANT PRAYER I thank you yet again Dear Friend Standing together with arms stretched horizontally receiving laterally.
02/20,2011, at 10:40
I have been to Egypt twice with Regina and Dr. Rabia, and once you have been to Egypt, breathed its air, walked with the sand under your feet, enjoyed tea, the drink of hospitality with the Bedouin, and traced the history of the Pharoahs as well as the early Christians who are descendents of the Church of St. Mark, you walk away humbled at their sense of honor, respect, loyalty, deep faith and love of life. I also carry a rock from Mt. Sinai, crumbled mud from a 5,000 year old wall from the banks of the Nile in a protective container, and memories of magnificent sunrises, peaceful walks over sand dunes and the silence of the desert where you can hear the voice of the almighty as written by the desert mothers and fathers of yesterday. Egypt is home and my ancient soul has heard its call. My soul always wishes to return and walk with sand under its feet. Egypt is the breath of life. Its people its legacy. I hope and pray that others in the future will be able to experience the love and hospitality of its people as well as hear the voice of God so ever present in the silence of the desert landscape.