Spiritual Journey
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The Bulb in the Fridge
Conversations with Virgin Mary I took my car to the body shop to repair the antenna and the hole in the roof. I don’t need a radio in my car. I can live without it, but the hole in the roof is keeping me awake at night. There are features you take for granted until…
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The Grass is Greener on the Other Side
Conversations with Virgin Mary My boss sent me a couple of pictures through WhatsApp. They were taken from his window: a group of blue jays gathered around a feeder. In the next image, a woodpecker appeared. The last one was a video. The same birds Jorge had pointed out to me before my trip, when…
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Clean Up Your Windows
Conversations with Virgin Mary I saw a chicken trying to cross the road, just like in the videogame. There were no cars, only mine, slowing down. I think it was a chicken, the window was so dirty from the melted snow on the roads. What was a chicken doing there? I live on the rural…
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Slowness
The conversation between Jorge and the narrator explores the contrasting modes of thinking: fast, automatic responses versus slower, analytical reasoning. Jorge emphasizes the importance of taking time to slow down and appreciate complexity, cautioning against the dangers of quick, superficial answers. The journey itself, rather than swift arrivals, holds true meaning and depth.
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God is a Swimming Pool
In a contemplative conversation over Turkish coffee, Jorge and the speaker explore the nature of God and faith. Jorge argues that God should not be perceived as a judgmental figure but as a realm of existence and structure. He encourages embracing comprehension over traditional doctrines, advocating for a redefined understanding of spirituality grounded in reality.
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Let’s Bake
Conversations with Virgin Mary Tuesday, February 17 This letter will be different from my previous lessons. This isn’t about messengers or tasks. I need you to understand the process to become, to be transformed, to see why you’re here. Life is full of ingredients. Every event, every moment, is like an ingredient in a meal.…
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How to Read While Riding a Bicycle
The text explores the concept of learning through experience, using the metaphor of riding a bicycle without a manual. It emphasizes that life, like cycling, involves falling and getting back up. The dialogue between two characters highlights the importance of perseverance and seeking support, even in the face of fear and potential failure.
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I am traveling on a bullet train, while you are still relying on a diesel engine.
Conversations with Virgin Mary I returned from Guadalajara and went to see Jorge to wish him a Happy New Year. The contrast was brutal. Back from Mexico, where light and dust linger in the air, to snow everywhere. The sidewalks were barely walkable, the neighborhood reduced to a narrow path between piles of ice. I…
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The Shower is Clogged
The text illustrates how both showerheads and people can become “clogged” over time due to unresolved stress and emotions. Just as a clogged showerhead requires cleaning or replacement, individuals must confront their own accumulation of suffering to maintain efficiency. While small acts can provide temporary relief, the inevitable decline remains.
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Blaming the stove for your misfortune
In Guadalajara, the narrator visits their mother, whose health has improved after treatment for Parkinson’s. However, her mood fluctuates with family interactions, highlighting the emotional complexity of their relationships. A discovered folder contains letters suggesting that understanding family dynamics can lead to healing, much like learning to handle a stove safely.
Carlos Fentanes 