Welcome to Paradise

‘Welcome to Paradise’. Twice within two weeks I hear guests announcing themselves with these words. They don’t come in with ‘good morning’ or ‘how are you’ or ‘here I am’, but with the experience that overtook them as they entered the grounds. And before all the usual and polite, it must apparently first get out: ‘Welcome to Paradise’.’

Blessed’ to hear. Because how wonderful it would be if ZeeVELD would bring to life the realization in every guest that they are a resident of Paradise.

‘Welcome to Paradise’.

I sometimes imagine a world where the news starts every night with these words. Then a few minutes of silence. Time to turn inward. Let us once again become aware of how much love and beauty we are deeply rooted in. After which we only start to relate to the other things of the day in a second instance, and then from that awareness.

And now let that also be handed over! The photo shows what guests left behind today as a thank you for their stay. A Celtic cross like it is on our roof, laid with holy or monstrance beans from their own garden.

The power of this image: how it bundles simultaneous or even paradoxical truths. If it means: ‘Welcome to paradise’ we only really know ourselves if we dare to welcome hell and heaven with an equally open heart.

  • Contents

    • Related > , , ,

    For what the silence produces

    To become silent is to become a woman. And mother. All willingness to love and receive every word; then to wait motionless and finally to give birth: the life-giving word. And again. And again.

    Lees verder »

    flight spot

    The management of this company feels at home here and the reunion is warm. ‘You can set up a branch here,’ I joke. “That would be a good idea,” says the director, “a refuge”. Read more here.

    Lees verder »

    detachment

    Monk’s work described in one word: detachment. Dying to self is at the heart of the spiritual journey. Read here what the Franciscan friar Richard Rohr has to say about it.

    Lees verder »

    Look at the new man

    Anyone who fears that man as we now think of himself will perish is right, for the simple reason that he has not been given that right to exist. It is not ‘designed’ that way. (Read more here)

    Lees verder »