Liminality: the state of being open and genuinely receptive to the barely perceptible or discernible; to the wonder, value and holy; to the novel idea, discovery and invention; to the surprise and unexpected life event; to the spiritual connection of being in communion.
In this Phase I, or Ecosphere consciousness, connectedness with the world through the body, with all of one's senses and feelings, (Damasio, 1995), serves to heighten awareness and enliven the emotions exemplified by the eternal child within. This is the birth of soul in awe of life. This child-like connection to the Creator as created being, keeps us in touch with the Divine, as Will, Counsel, Inspiration... who informs, guides personal conscience, and while deepening our connection with the marvels of the created world, we are gifted with the surprise of meaning and wonder. Too many of us mistakenly leave behind this child-like openness to, and trust in the Abundance of Goodness, to become the mature "adult". This gradual dis-connection from the Divine, True Source and Genuine Author of Empowerment, is lethal to our spirituality. For human wellness, a body-soul interactive has to co-exist with an ever-present source of energy that must be reclaimed as "trust" (Erickson in Hampdon-Turner, p. 132-35) in the goodness of creation by "Befriending Creation" (Fox). This includes all of life: human, plant, animal and the planet itself gathered as one, with one's own humanity. An underdeveloped Phase I or Ecosphere is recognized by insensitivity to others and consequences. (Millar, Katz, Watson) Here in Phase I, the fundamental essence is born for the holy, value and wonder of being. And in the presence of the Being of Wonder and Awe, respect for oneself and for others calls us to do no harm.
A faulty foundation in Phase I, will affect the next Phase unless some beneficial intervention prevents furthering the damage. In the development of the growing child's mind for Quest:Provocation experiences in Phase II, thinking is very much connected with feelings and emotions in Phase I. (Damasio, 1995; Goleman)
The Child-Like Connection
Unless you become like little children...
The Child In Me
There's a child in me
Trusting
Smiling
Bubbling
Calling to the wild
Dancing.
There's a child in me
Curious
Searching
Finding
Stumbling
Falling
Up and running.
Mary Angela Nangini
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