Heart-centered – Pen drawing by Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz

Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz is my friend and mentor. I have known her for 30 years. She is a Sister of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis, and she has devoted her life to teaching and providing spiritual counseling. Sister Lucy was born on November 16, 1936 and she died on March 28, 2022.

Here are some reflections by Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz (from her journals):

Dreams (2003)
Hold fast and move toward your dream - help others to apply their wisdom to their lives. I believe
every human being has the potential to be their own leader, teacher, visionary, and healer.

Spiritual Spa (Aug. 2003)
Every moment realizing that the wonderment growing inside me is the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.

The Dynamic Life (Aug. 2003)
Resource your body's vitality and learn to sustain it.
Learn to bring the benefits of meditation into your daily life.
Learn to listen in a whole new way to self and others.
Revisit your values and purpose.
Write a livable plan for your personal and professional goals.
Develop relationships with women who will support you.

O' Great Spirit - (Aug. 2003)

Gratitude (Aug. 16, 2003)
Good morning, everyone and every sentient being! What a great over-sized day it is - soft air, moist air, and needed rain. Mother Earth is thirsting for rainfall to seed her wounded places, crops, and ground.

Key Mission Purpose (Sept. 2003)
I received profound guidance from an inner source that I call "the God/dess within and from above." I think and feel the experience that my purpose on the planet, in this body, is to turn other's direction within to find their own sources of inner guidance. Helping people to be strong within themselves.

My Earth Walk (Oct. 15, 2003)
I felt I stood between
Heaven and Earth
I pondered the moon waning
above my head
I reflected the sun rising
behind my body
I saw balance around me
Oh! What a great feeling 
as if I was moving and 
yet standing still
Thank great Mother Earth for
your gift of great lights
that give energy to 
continue our journey

Samhain (Nov. 3, 2003)
I see and experience Mother Earth rends her bright garments in mourning for the Summer King and life retreats into the underworld. It is our fitting custom to mourn together all we have lost in the past year and to speak to our Beloved Dead when the veil between worlds is the thinnest. 

My Heart (Sept. 21, 2006)
Every  chamber is open with deep gratitude for the revelation of such great love pulsing throughout my body - this fragile and marvelous vessel. I beg that I will hold the Divine energy pulsing in me and to share it with those I meet. Keep me vigilant of your presence. Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you for all the graces you shower upon us.

Beauty, Balance, and Delight (Nov. 2006)
During these tenuous times, we need the power of creation more than ever - beyond simply resisting what we do not need, to be clearly focused on creating what we do want. As we bud and flower our own small, cellular communities that are rooted in balance, steeped in beauty, blossoming delight, we create a living force with these qualities as its cornerstones. That force has the power to infuse the planet, changing the course of the world. Together, we will dance, sing, create poetry, walk the labyrinth, aspect spirit, and raise ecstatic energy in sacred ritual space. 

The Rose (Feb. 10, 2008)
"Let this Rose say what words have failed."
Say to my Goddess
Perhaps one day, though, we'll be able to say, 
"My love burns for you with the passion of a thousand suns."
Without the need of any material gifts.
But, for now, let these flowers carry the message for you.

Pachamama: Our Mother Earth (Sept. 8, 2008)
We have come from you
We will return to you
We walk with you
Before and after
Yes, we live within your 
protective womb
Where there is water, fire, nature, minerals and the 
crust of the earth enfolding us
Each brings us clarity freely

The Wind – Painting by Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz

Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz is my friend and mentor. I have known her for 30 years. She is a Sister of St. Joseph of the Third Order of St. Francis and has devoted her life to teaching and providing spiritual counseling. Sister Lucy was born on November 16, 1936, and died on March 28, 2022.

Here are some reflections by Sister Lucy Bruskiewicz (from her journals):

Paradigm Shift (2000)
Never forget that all things are connected to each other and to you. Nothing is isolated by distance as the winds blow in all directions. If we can deeply understand and act upon this concept - we will experience the harmony needed to sustain life on Earth.

Listen from the Heart (2000)
Be willing to discover something about yourself in someone else's story. Spiritual truths have not been expressed throughout time and in mathematical formulas but in art, music, dance, drama, poetry, stories, and artistic rituals.

Poem: Human Situation (2000)
Love
Every heart is first an apprentice
Self-acceptance
A sense of belonging

Revelation (May 2000)
To discover God's desires for union. He chases us. He wants us to chase after him. God desires his people.

Queen-dom: Saving Action of Love (May 12, 2000)
God/dess reigns over us, transforming grace. To be a shift-shape shifter, shaped by transformed hearts, be recreated by love - the starting point. We are created in love (free gift). What awakens the good news for ME? The gifts of God's love re-center our lives from self-centered to heart-centered.

The World of Nature (Aug. 31, 2000)
     I hear the call of the birds contributing their energy to bring harmony and balance. I hear the geese and ducks honking, and they move south, leaving their vibrations behind.
     I see the lone morning dove perched on the line, looking over the earth in stillness. I revel in the beauty of flowers giving way to a new season, gradually letting go of blossoms for new seeds to come forth. Thank you, Mother Earth and Father Sky, for all your beauty below and above.

Wonders (Oct. 15, 2002)
Wonder-ful in the duality that connects us to our nature - our center. I discovered deeply within myself that I arrive at the core of myself by opening up my senses - through awareness. What are WONDERS in my life?

Air Shower (Dec. 2002)
     As I look up into the sky, I see a flock of circling birds. They were unusual in many ways. My mind drifted to identifying these sky huggers. Most of them were white underneath and black colored backs. A few were all white feathered, spacing themselves in between the others. They all were connected within the mandala style pattern - circular most of the time. 
     I stood with curiosity as they came around many times. It seemed they flew down into the lower ledge and circled back - closer to me each time as they made their round. Oh, such grace and togetherness! They displayed enjoying the sunshine as I did. It almost seemed like they were caught in an air current of ease and fun, allowing themselves to be moved with the breath of Mother Earth. I wonder where they are resting from their flight tonight. Thank you for your beauty of flight of color and dance.

My Journey Inward (Dec. 11, 2002)
Gradually my attention gathered momentum as I allowed myself to go into deeper relaxation on the inside. Centering myself, my journey evolved into an experience of connection to the very core of myself to the marrow of my bones. My roots came from the herons joining me at my head and beyond. I came to a place of wilderness. The doe assisted my coming and stayed present for me during my coming and later grazed nearby. I also sensed another animal near my face area as if she wanted to lick my face. She was dark and sort of long snooted. She disappeared after a short time. 

O' Great Spirit of our World (Aug. 16, 2003)

Justice: She Knows All (Dec. 2003)
Justice, who are you?
Justice, what are you?
Justice, where are you?
Response:
I am the one who walks tall and is supported by all.
I look within to the very small, riveted within the heart.
I stand gazing, ready to give my all. 

Late Autumn (Dec. 2, 2003)
Dusting Snow
When did she fall?
Perhaps before my arrival
Propelled by the wind and cold
Dusted the earth here and there
Not just every where
But enough to be noticed 
In her stillness it is noticed
Even surprised
With faint, soft footprints
Does the flower garden like the peppered blanket embrace?
Lying there almost unseen
Each preparing only to go deeper
Rooting themselves in darkness