SHEKINA SCULPTURE GARDEN
Shekina Sculpture Garden is situated in
the centre of Co. Wicklow, ‘The Garden of Ireland’. It lies in the peaceful
Glenmalure Valley, close to the Avonbeg river and under the shadows of
Fannierin mountain. This one acre garden includes a stream with a bridge, two
ponds on different levels, a patio, gazebo, seating areas, shrub beds and
undulating lawns. A unique feature is a collection of modern sculptures by
Irish artists –: Michael Casey, Fred Conlon, Cliodna Cussen, Leo Higgins, Paul
Page, Noel Scullion, Alexander Sokolov, Imogen Stuart, Ken Thompson and
Alexandra Wejchert.
Modern Sacred Space. Over the past
decade this garden has become more and more a modern sacred space. People have
discovered it to be a place of tranquillity, inspiration and healing. Many have
termed it the ‘peace garden’. It’s actual title ‘Shekina’ is a Hebrew word
which signifies God’s intimate presence with his people as they journeyed as
well as in the places they rested. The hope is that all who visit may have an
experience of the peace, joy and adventure of this Shekina presence as they
rest a while in this garden.
The Sculptures are of varying
materials – granite, limestone, wood, bronze, metal, stainless steel. All
twelve sculptures have a strong symbolic content and were chosen not only for
their beauty but also for their ability to facilitate reflection on the journey
of life and its mysteries.
Time-Out Days provide an
opportunity to be still in the beauty of Shekina. The space facilitates rest,
relaxation, togetherness, celebration, reflection and prayer. On Time-Out days
a guided reflection on two or more of the sculptures is on offer for
those who wish.
Shekina Garden is ideal for
small and medium size groups to take-time out for personal and/or group
reflection (arranged by contacting numbers given below). The groups who have
visited in the past have been many and varied – for example pastoral teams,
scripture study groups, school confirmation classes, stress management
workshops, the ramblers, religious groups of all kinds, and groups of no
specific faith who are searchers after truth, beauty and love. Individuals are
also welcome to join other individuals on named dates.
Time-Out Dates 2003: May 17th, 24th; June 7th, 28th;
July 19th; August 9th, 23rd. Each day 10.30-4.30pm. Booking essential. See contact numbers below.
Open Days The garden is open to the public on specific
dates. Picnics encouraged. Entrance by donation to The Motor Neurone Disease
Association. These open days are mentioned in the Count Wicklow Garden Festival
Brochure.
Open Day Dates 2003: May 18th, 25th; June 8th, 29th; July 20th; Aug 10th,
24th. Each day Noon –
6pm.
Literature. Shekina Sculpture Garden,
ed. Jim Larner from an original text by Catherine McCann and contributions from
the
various sculptors. (The Stationary Office, Government Publications 1997. ISBN 0-7-76-4974-9)
Time-Out in Shekina, The Value of Symbols
in our Search for Meaning, by Catherine McCann (Eleona Books
1998. ISBN 0-9531302-2-3)
The Hidden Gardens of Ireland, where to
find them by Marianne Heron (Gill and Macmillan 1996. ISBN 0-
7171-2427-4)
O’Brien Guide to Irish Gardens by Shirley Lanigan (O’Brien Press 2001 ISBN
0-86278-632-0)
Further Information
Contacts for further
information regarding the garden or books:
Ph/fax: 353 1 2838711 or ph
353 404 46128 or Email: cmccann@gofree.indigo.ie or Website: gofree.indigo.ie/~cmccann or
www.shekinasculpturegarden.com
YOU ARE
INVITED
TO
DISCOVER YOUR OWN SHEKINA
by
Stillness Listening Reaching Out
Stillness
Find a place where you can best
come to stillness; for example a particular spot in your house, in the garden, your
local park, the car, sitting at your office desk.
Having stilled yourself
physically in your chosen space and taken a suitable posture:sitting, standing,
lying, then gently try to discover a quiet space in your inner self.
Give yourself some minutes to
arrive at a level of outer and inner stillness. Some days this will happen more
easily than others. We never come to stillness instantly and the level we
arrive at always varies - and no one arrives at perfect stillness!
The process of attempting to still
your body, mind, feelings and ultimately your deep inner self is really a very
simple task. Ultimately it is about doing nothing - it is simply a question of being
there, of being the self that you are in this particular place and
in this now-moment of time.
Listening
To assist the above process – listen! Listen first to the sounds around
you.
Then, when you feel it is appropriate, begin to listen to what is
surfacing within yourself . Note what enters your awareness but do not analyse
– simply let what is be!
.Over time and through regular practice you will experience deeper
stillness. Your listening may come to the stage where it is about listening to
Silence and being enveloped by that Silence. Rest in that Silence. Such Silence
tends to be an experience of fullness as opposed to an empty Silence . Whatever
quality of stillness is experienced simply remain within it.
When listening to the mystery of your deeper self and to the silence
you may come to an experience of a
Shekina-type Presence.
Reaching Out
At some stage you may be aware of being drawn away from yourself. Being a compassionate person you will be drawn to allowing those you love, those who suffer, or those who have other concerns enter your awareness. Allow that love, generated in you by the stillness and listening exercises, to reach out and empower others.
Do not force anything. From your place of stillness simply reach out
towards whoever you feel drawn to and simply hold that person compassionately in
your awareness. A particular situation or person might fleetingly attract your
attention, or you may feel drawn to linger in your loving holding-of-the-other
in your heart.
An appropriate was of finishing this Shekina experience would be gratitude – gratitude for the wonder of yourself, for the wonder of all that is created, for the wonder of the Divine in our midst.
Other sites to Visit: www.sacredspace.ie