How the Light Changed Me

Hello Empowered Wayers!I have traveled to Chartres, France several times and walked the world famous labyrinth laid in the floor of the Cathedral. This story is about the first time I entered the Cathedral, unaware of what I would experience.*********The earth spins silently around the sun, revolving from day to night then day in the eternal celestial dance. The sun shines on all parts of the earth equally, without reservation or discernment. It also shines on all humans equally, no matter their color, culture or creed.You may have forgotten that sunlight shines equally, but there is a sacred place in France that will help you remember.Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathedral was partially built in 1145 and reconstructed after a fire in 1194. It is a stunning example of French Gothic art, with a vast nave and porches adorned with life-size sculptures from the 12th century. But it was the stain-glass windows crafted in the 12th and 13th centuries that took my breath away.The light shining through the stained glass tells stories from 2,000 years ago and the magnificence of the art and colors touches something deep inside. From the outside, the stained glass looks dark and dingy. But from the inside, illuminated by sunlight, the stories spring to life in vivid color.Little did I know that when I visited the Cathedral in 2018, I would be transformed. Hidden in the dark folds of my awareness, the light illuminated a truth that was always present, waiting for my acknowledgment.As I stood in front of the entrance, I had no idea what I was about to experience.Pushing open the heavy wooden door and walking into the gloom of the interior, my eyes took a moment to adjust. Even though I couldn’t discern details of the interior, I sensed a vast space rising above me, seemingly to infinity.Slowly, my eyes adjusted to the gloom and I felt small, insignificant, in the face of so much space. What ccould hold me together so I didn’t spin apart?The stained glass windows. They hold the key to emptiness. They give meaning to life because of the story they tell.Sunlight from a zillion miles away filters through the glass, coloring the floor in the rich colors of red, amber, green, and gold.About 80% of the glass is original, and it creates the largest collection of Middle Ages stained-glass in the world. The original luminosity has survived the 100 Years War, religious wars, the French Revolution, and both World Wars.To say they are breathtaking does not do them justice.These pieces of color tell the story of creation, destruction, and the coming of the one who will save us from ourselves. The story of Christianity is told in these panes of glass - 1,100 of them.It wasn’t the minute details that fascinated me, but the sense of reverence that permeated the air. Hundreds of thousands of pilgrims have traveled to this site to adore Mary, the mother of Jesus. They walked on these stones in their bare feet or with sandals that had almost disintegrated, taking one more step to reach their dream.To adore and appreciate the Shroud of Mary that is encased in the far left corner of this magnificent Cathedral.As I stood in front of the chapel, gazing at the shroud, I couldn’t help but think of how many people have done the same thing. How many others have felt the loving energy from this simple piece of cloth that Mary wore on the day she gave birth to Jesus?The stained glass above the shroud filters the light, changing it to reveal the stories told in stunning colors. It struck me that I was being educated by the artisans who created this art, just as the pilgrims from hundreds of years ago.Perhaps the pilgrims found what they were looking for. I felt the loving energy from the shroud, but I was still searching…for something.What was I searching for? That question stayed with me as I turned away.I continued to the opposite side of the Cathedral, passing several other alcoves and places of worship. I moved slowly and reverently, befitting such a holy space. I felt drawn to something inside the vast expanse of this building, but I didn’t know what I was searching for.Until I saw it on the floor as if it were waiting for me.A single beam of light, shining through a piece of clear glass. There were no stories filtering the light, just a clear opening for it to shine in all of its brilliance.The light drew me like a moth to a flame and I was helpless to resist. I stood in its brilliance, a powerful connection drawing me ever closer to the Divine.In the place of a million stories (told in the stained glass and in the hearts of all who had ever set foot in this building), God found me and loved me, without my having to do anything but allow his love to flow into my heart.The light changed for me at that moment.My long-held stories of unworthiness, not-enoughness, and failures dissolved. The strident voice of my ego stilled, as if in awe of the energy that flowed into me. I was still me, but not the small me I had created over the years.The sacred space that had drawn thousands over the centuries had pierced me with the light of awareness. Instead of looking outside myself for validation, I was worthy to stand in the light, unadorned and unafraid of the truth of whom I am.I was no longer a seeker because I had been found.Blessings,KathrynP. S. The Cathedral de Chartres is a UNESCO Heritage Site. It is about one hour from Paris by train and well worth the trip. To gain an appreciation of the art, sculptures, and stain glass, take a few moments and visit Panoramic Views. It takes a few minutes to load the photos, so be patient.Empowered Way is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit empoweredway.substack.com