This line comes from William Blake’s poem Auguries of Innocence. A much quoted line but what might it mean? That, of course, depends on who you ask. A broad view is that it is a conflict poem. Rich against poor; elite against under privilege; power against impotence. Themes we see played out every day on our screens -Ukraine being the current focus. But this conflict goes on in our daily lives; at home, in the work place, in the mosque, synagogue, church or temple. And these external conflicts are an outworking of our inner conflicts. 

So, having identified these conflicts, what can we do about them? How might spirituality fit in? And can it change anything? As a counsellor with an interest in spirituality, I say that spirituality has a place in our everyday lives. At one level, saying the rosary every day can help. Or reading a chapter from our holy book and thinking about it. Along with the habit of meditating and remembering to breathe deeply.

I see Blake’s lines as a call to open our eyes and See. See beauty in unlikely places. And unlikely people! To find beauty in ourselves and our lives. Spending five minutes talking with our neighbour. Being in the outdoors when possible. All these can help us.

So can talking with a spiritual counsellor. I will listen to what you say and don’t say. I will help you say all those “silly things” we don’t know how to share. Together we will see the meaning in all those grains of sand. And hold eternity for an hour. 

My background is in Christianity and this is the spiritual tradition I know best. But I’m not out to convert you to or from anything. My aim is to help you find a form of spirituality that works for you. You can contact me via my website.

Who knows what beauty we might find?