I’ve always been fascinated by how stories have the power to speak deep truths using symbols... like secret messages hidden in plain sight. I think it's because they have this sneaky way of bypassing the part of us that wants to overthink and resist... landing sweetly in the heart instead. Have you ever come across something like that?

This happened to me last week when I stumbled on an old botanical drawing of a pomegranate linked to an Greek myth story. Something about it sparked for me. Following my curiosity I discovered a bit of unexpected fashion advice in Exodus, a liberation story that’s common to Judaism, Christianity and Islam.

The gold bells and the
pomegranates are to alternate
around the hem of the robe.

The hem of the high priest’s robe was to be adorned with golden bells and colorful pomegranates, stitched from threads of blue, purple and scarlet. What powerful imagery!

It turns out that priests in those times wore bells that jingled as they moved. I can almost hear it…. a gentle tinkling as they went about their duties in the presence of the Divine. Yet, I sense something more here—a reminder, maybe, that even the holiest among us, standing in the holiest of places, are still human. Sacred and earthly, divine and imperfect, we all walk a tender line between heaven and earth.

And the pomegranates, it gets even better! Surely the pens of hundreds of holy men have danced across hand-pressed pages writing about this this juicy fruit. The pomegranate has a long history as a symbol of divine abundance. It’s no wonder: cut one open, and you’ll find hundreds of seeds nestled inside. Each seed is a sweet reminder that our holiness grows from within. Eating one is like biting into life. Messy, juicy, crunchy, sweet, and a little tart.

I picture the bells and pomegranates on the priests’ rustling hemlines as they walked, creating a visual movement symbolic of the rhythm of outward action (bells) and inward growth (pomegranate).

Here's a journaling reflection for you: If the bells represent being noticed outwardly and the pomegranates are what’s hidden within, how do you balance the need for external validation with the hunger to grow your inner spiritual life?

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TO THE FRIEND IN DOUBT: What would love choose now? To find out, step back and let Love lead the way.

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Fruit of the spirit

The fruit of gratitude. An actual list of spiritual fruits from Galatians. Spiritual fruit is slow... and seasonal. Fruits are linked to divinity across beliefs and around the world. The fruit that represents love, separation and renewal. Fruit of the kitchen: golden rice pilaf with dried fruit.

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SOMETHING TO GET MORE OF The joy of discovering that joy exists "Jeremy found joy in the midst of Block 57. He found it during moments of the day where we found only fear. And he found it in such great abundance that when he was present we felt it rise in us. Inexplicable sensation, incredible even, there where we were: joy was going to fill us. Imagine this gift which Jeremy gave us! ... The joy of discovering that joy exists, that it is in us, just exactly as life is, without conditions and which no condition, even the worst, can kill. We did not understand, but we thanked him, time and time again." (Against the Pollution of the I, by blind French author Jacques Lusseyran, 1999) ​ INNER GOLD​ ​Joy is alive in me! Unshaken by what's happening. I feel it rising from deep within, overflowing and touching others with its light.

Before you go...

⛩️ Meet the custodians of old and rare cultural traditions 👵 Grandmother's wisdom... rediscovered 👟 Your brain wants you to go for a walk​ 😱 The uber-scary Book of Giants probably won't ever make it into the Old Testament... but I hear LOTR is interested ❄️ Winter as a gift of rest and clarity​

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His step is light,
and as he lifts his foot to stride ahead
a star is left behind,
to point the way to those who follow him.
(ACIM, W-134.12:5)

© 2024 Susie Kher

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