Transformative Experience

Me & the River Thames

A powerful reflection from a river that is now a dear friend

This is a little bit of context for a poem I published recently here. It appeared when I shared it on a different platform. It’s an account of an experience I had several years ago that was powerful and memorable, some of which made its way into this poem.

The first time I was with Simon Christopher at one of his Course in Miracles weekends was in 2009. It was in Hammersmith and the venue was right next to the river Thames. At the time I lived in Sheffield and had a major grievance with London! (😂) I didn’t know and love the river as I do now.

I didn’t know that the Thames was tidal up to a certain point, and looking out of the window in the morning all I saw was a scruffy estuary, with a few birds pecking about in the sandy slough.

By 4pm we were sitting in what I now call ‘light’; the palpable, physical, energetic experience that is now so familiar to me. It’s powerful and beautiful, rich, delicious.. gentle but dynamic, infinitely freeing. My mind was completely clear. I had no thoughts, simply this impression of vastness, peace, and beauty.

As I was feeling this energy, gently experiencing myself in a way I had never experienced…