A mid-winter break for me typically includes a week of diving in warm waters. As you read this short piece my buddy and I are submersed in the aqua blue waters of Dominica (located in the Caribbean Sea amidst the southeastern string of islands known as the Lesser Antilles Windward Islands).
The island itself boasts the highest relief in all of the Caribbean islands with ‘Morne Diablotins’ touching 4,747 feet and is covered with a vibrant green rain forest. Self-identified as ‘The Nature island,’ it’s a sight to see both on the verdant land above and on the rich coral reefs below with its plenteous fish life and hard and soft corals.
Idyllic places like this remind me of Teilhard de Chardin, who as a scientist and spiritual writer made keen observations about the earth and the soul. Annie Dillard (brilliant in this regard as well!) ties together a few of his sayings which describe these Dominican water days:
Plunge into matter,” Teilhard said—and at another time, “Plunge into God.” And he said this fine thing: “By means of all created things, without exception, the divine assails us, penetrates us, and molds us. We imagined it as distant and inaccessible, whereas in fact we live steeped in its burning layers. (Annie Dillard, For The Time Being)
How do I ‘plunge into matter’ or ‘plunge into God’ when I am in my everyday experience? How do I ‘deep dive’ amidst the tower clad environs of Weston Road and Lawrence?
How do you make this plunge into God in your everyday world?
Perhaps we can help each other as we share thoughts on Teilhard’s cues?