thin places

There is in Celtic mythology the notion of “thin places” in the universe where the visible and the invisible world come into their closest proximity. To seek such places is the vocation of the wise and the good – and for those that find them, the clearest communication between the temporal and eternal.

Mountains and rivers are particularly favored as thin places marking invariably as they do, the horizontal and perpendicular frontiers. But perhaps the ultimate of these thin places in the human condition are the experiences people are likely to have as they encounter suffering, joy, and mystery.

~ Rev. Peter Gomes

Another gorgeous passage I saw (I had read it before, and actually think often of thin places, but I had forgotten the specific passage) on the absolutely perfect First Sip.

3 thoughts on “thin places”

  1. Appropriate that it’s Celtic. Ireland and the Scottish isles are full of thin places. I had my future accurately foretold there (not by a self-proclaimed fortuneteller, either).

  2. My goodness. I have been through so many thin places over the past month as I’ve traveled 18 states and written about what a beautiful yet very messed up place this country of ours is in during this tumultuous, frightening time. There are many thin places in the human condition of America – places filled with suffering, joy, and yes mystery. So many places left me confused.

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