The angels in Jesus’ tomb asked Mary Magdalene, “Why do you seek the living among the dead?” Why indeed do we seek new life, a new way of being, while continuing to do what we have always done? Why do we seek freedom among the thoughts, words and actions that have held us captive?
To live beyond what might seem like a tomb, we must be willing to bless what has passed and then look beyond it. A tomb experience in life can be anything that draws us apart for a while and provides an opportunity for growth and realignment with Spirit. A process of deep and lasting change is revealed when we explore four stages of transformation that take place in the tomb; renunciation, retreat, resurrection and realization.
On the cross, Jesus renounced the world as his source and commended his Spirit to God. He took the final step toward overcoming the greatest block to transformation; the belief that life is created and sustained by the world. What is demonstrated for us through the crucifixion and resurrection is that Life is independent of the world. Life, the flow of Spirit within us, creates the world according to our ability and willingness to allow Truth to be expressed through us.
Jesus was laid in a tomb, retreating from the world for three days. Three is symbolic of completion in Spirit, soul and body. Resurrection is instant, simultaneous in Spirit, but soul and body require a time of unfolding. When we pray, our prayers are answered the instant we release them to Spirit. Yet, most often, a time of quiet reflection and letting go is required for our prayers to fully manifest in our minds, hearts and body.
Mary returns to the tomb with the intention of blessing what she believes is lost. The willingness to bless what has passed away rolls away the stone and opens the way for divine inspiration. When we bless what has passed for the opportunities of growth and realignment provided, blockages are removed and our way is made clear.
Mary did not realize that the gardener was Jesus until he spoke to her. When he did, she ran to inform the others. When we realize something we incorporate the new information at all levels of being. Only then is deep and lasting change made possible. The risen Christ sent his followers to convert the nations. To convert is to change. To convert the nations is to change everything. Realization happens in us when we recognize the Christ as the Life within each of us and then inform every level of our being to live this Truth. When we live this Truth everything is made new and we live beyond the tomb.
© 2016. Reverend Eileen DeRosia Patra
Carpenters and builders use a phrase, “Get a level on that,” which means placing a tool called a level on the surface of cabinets, shelving, and flooring to be sure they are not tipped too far in one 
The close of a calendar year is a traditional time for reflection; a review of the year’s finest moments and its challenges. In preparation for a new year there are often a number of things we choose to leave behind. Perhaps you’ve experienced a loss, a physical challenge, a relationship issue, a career bump, or a financial upset. Then there are the things we experience together; divisiveness in government, hurricanes, out of control fires, tsunamis, terrorism, and mass shootings. Who wouldn’t want to leave these things behind?
The crocodile trainer uses a distraction to maintain a safe distance from its powerful jaws. He enters the pen and throws the croc a piece of rope to chew on while he maneuvers to a safe place from which to feed and appease this fearsome beast. 
For those of you who generally follow my posts you may have noticed I’ve been on a blogging hiatus. I’ve found myself on a path I could not have predicted as my husband’s journey of healing has taken the spotlight in our lives. As a firm believer in the power of the mind to create our experiences and of the natural state of wholeness that underlies any appearance of illness, a sudden health challenge should be a simple matter, right? Well, in fact, it is simple, but the mind is a complicated aspect of our consciousness, not easily harnessed. It can be like a wild horse taking flight … in a variety of possible directions. 
The Changing Leaves are always a miraculous sight for those of us in climates that provide this annual display of colorful foliage. The predictable transformation has become synonymous with change and a reminder that there is always new life, new growth just beyond what appears to be death. What is truly remarkable about the process is what causes the change in colors. As the hours of daylight become less, the tree responds to an inner signal. The signal is not to drop its leaves although that is what occurs. The signal is to begin new growth. The tree begins to direct its resources to new growth, to the buds that will occur in the spring. This focus on the new growth in turn diminishes the flow of nutrients to the current leaves and they respond by fading, falling and preparing the space for the new buds. As always, when I look at the falling leaves I know that new life will occur in the spring but today I recognize that the forming of new buds has already begun. In life, as I see something fading away, I know on an inner level that something new is forming within me. What falls away prepares the space for what is being called forth in me. This is the miracle of transformation that occurs in the trees, in my life and in the world. 
The CHANGING COLORS of leaves in the northern autumn season are a miraculous display of life renewing itself. Today I saw just three leaves on our maple tree that had turned a brilliant, maize. The brightly colored foliage was nested in a ground of deep, green leaves that had not yet begun to turn. Change, whether the color of leaves, or the unfolding of our lives, often occurs just a little at a time. Why rush when the real beauty lies in beholding the process? The leaves will change according their own perfect timing. Each stage will be a glorious sight to see. Our own transformation often begins with just a glimpse of something small but brighter. This process too is beautiful to behold and will unfold according to its own innate and perfect timing. The CHANGING COLORS are beautiful, and remind me of the miracles at work continuously within me. 
TRANSFORMATION is the miracle of changing form. One might think this is something magical or something reserved for the few, those who have chosen a monastic life. But change is occurring all the time. Cells die, cells are born. The body changes form. The physical image I see in the mirror today is not the same as the one I saw yesterday or 20 years ago. Everything changes. Everything transforms. The mystical TRANSFORMATION is the one that is not seen yet known and felt in awareness. This TRANSFORMATION occurs when we have a deep change in mind. When we release a long-held belief or fear something magical is born; a new thought. A new thought born in mind has a physical effect on our appearance, our stature, and most importantly in our awareness. A change in mind forms something grand and new in our lives. The miracle is more than just the change. The true miracle is our power to choose it. TRANSFORMATION the miracle that allows us to choose a new way of being. Whatever that thought is that is frightening you right now, change it. Let it fall away and choose a new thought, an affirming, life-giving thought. Choose a thought that affirms the power of God in you as bigger than what your mind has been focusing on and be TRANSFORMED.
A TELESCOPE houses a set of lenses that allow us to see over a great distance. As I look through my telescope I can see the eagles nesting in the cellular tower ½ mile away. They are just tiny specs, almost imperceptible to my physical eyes, but focusing this set of lenses I can see them as they build their nest, raise their young and then fly off to distant places. Through these lenses I can see the stars, satellites passing by, and the craters of the moon. I can see things that are always there but too far away to see. Did you know that we each have a telescope within us? There are lenses we see through that can be focused to see more clearly. We call this perspective and we can choose a new perspective any time. We can also widen the lens to include other perspectives, gaining a greater view. We also have within us the ability to see the invisible. Some call this faculty the third eye. Some call it clairvoyance. The Hebrew Scriptures called those who could see the invisible prophets. This inner telescope does not need to stretch out to see more clearly. Rather, we simply need to allow the physical eyes to grow dim, to see through them less and behold instead the vision within us. Seeing through spiritual eyes is like viewing a holograph that takes shape in our very midst. The holograph is malleable, formable and greatly responsive to Light. As I view the holographic image of myself and the world around me I see more clearly. Judgment transforms to discernment. Heaviness transforms to movement. Shadows become illuminated. Telescopes are miraculous devices and the telescope in me is miraculously and wondrously made.
Eileen Patra 