spirituality in the city TIME TO TRANSCEND Gloria Garcia One moment of transcendence that comes to mind is the birth of my daughter when I was twenty years old. In that moment, after the child had been safely delivered and placed in my arms, time stood still. All worries dissipated. I became acutely aware of God’s presence, the cycle of life, and my place in the universe. A sense that all was as it should be filled my heart. As I basked in the glow of playing such an important role in the miracle of life, an immense wave of love for my daughter swept over me. Although I knew my life would be changing drastically in the years to come, I was no longer afraid or concerned. My connection to this new being and my love for her would withstand all.
Donogh O’Loughlin I’m grateful to travel this beautiful country and meet the most interesting people. I work on Sherkin Island sometimes, and the most common question I’m asked there is ‘what day is it?’ It always fills my heart and makes me smile. I love science and nature, as they help us to understand the physical world. I’ve surfed barrelling waves in deserted bays where time stood still, I’ve sat on shores and stared at fossils: trapped in rocks, yet free to move. When my first child was born, the universe stopped in that moment. When my dad was in a stroke-induced coma just before he died, I placed my forehead to his and said, ‘I am you and you are me. We are one.’ That changed my perception of time and space deeply. Later, at a Spoken Word meeting, Mags Creedon asked me whether she could she use that line in a song. Yes. Now it flies again. ecoplumb.ie
Veronika Sardiko
©Anna-Louise Hally
Dance – my passion and profession – allows me to experience transcendence. Inconceivable moments happen during my performances. Before going onstage, when I’m waiting to step out from the curtain, I can hear my heartbeat – it’s so strong; my legs are heavy; time drags. As soon as I step onto the stage, I no longer have a sense of time. A one-hour show feels like five minutes. The boost of adrenaline makes me feel like I’m flying. During a tour to Portugal, I felt upset when I saw that the stage for our performance was so small, I would have to cut some steps and jumps from my solo. In rehearsals, I practised the combinations without a few elements. When I watched the video of the performance, however, I couldn’t believe my eyes. During the show, I had managed to perform all the original steps within the restricted stage space. The dance looked perfect. Magic. Dance is meditation for me. I forget about my problems, just enjoying myself and the process. myartdublin.com
