Do you talk to god? Does god answer? I want to share a story where big g and I met up during a forced retreat and figured out a daily meeting plan.
The first time I had Covid was June 2022; life took care of me because our little studio was between tenants and I could be all safely quarantined away from my family so they didnât get it. So I slept and netflixed, slept and netflixed.
On Day 5 of Covid, I heard from god that I needed to hang out with them.* Just for context the Covid fever was over on Day 3, so I wasnât losing it. And of course, this hearing voices isnÊ»t a notion I find too surprising, but when it comes in clear with a âgodâ vibe behind it, and even more so, with a demandâŠ
I listened.Â
God said âSit with me, not just in meditation, with me! For at least 30 minutes a day, in a row. Not 20 and 20 like your Vedic teacher says. Not 15 like you usually do. (Slacker was implied, but god isnât mean-spirited, which is a great relief). Thirty minutes. Every day.â
So I sat down to see what it was like to hang out with god, and as I closed my eyes I found myself checking into like an outdoor waterfall spa with Jesus, Buddha, Kali, Quan Yin, Mother Mary, and other ascended masters. This was no a Hyatt or Marriott, mind you, this was like a Four Seasons, multiple water features cascading around with the various divine beings holding court on their water platform, and I was sitting criss-cross-apple-sauce on a little green island sitting trying to play it cool while surrounded by majesty and wonder. It was lovely, misty, and outrageously bright and I thought âSure! I can do this!â
As meditation often goes, I found myself blurred into altered states and donʻt have much more to report from there. So much splendor and if I am honest? I nodded off.
But what I was told was that for me to be ready for the rest of my life; the life that followed that Covid week of naps and Netflix and hiding from my family, the following would be required.Â
I needed to tone my nervous system,
Upgrade my circuits,
Become a more god-available, god-listening person.
Copy that.
Do you remember those books âConversations with Godâ where that Neale Donald Walsh dude bravely told the truth about his chats to god? And they were super interesting, kinda cheeky like he would go:
âHey, um god?â
And god would be like, âHey what up?â
(Iʻm exaggerating, but not by much.)
I had the whole set, covered in white paper, his big old bearded self staring back from the jacket photo. I was enthralled. I was jealous. I will say I am also super happy he had the courage to publish these books, especially at that time. Boy just the blasphemy of it as so many were shocked that he had the GALL to insist the voice in his head and on the pages was god.
So, what Iʻm about to tell you? Not so shocking in 2024, nothing too revelatory about me or even god or God or whoever it is we are tuning into when we say our prayers and meditate with spa friends.
But. Now, I talk to god. Everyday.
God is very chatty with me too, (as Iâm sure they would be with you!) and I get a download most mornings from god in the same fashion that Neale did. I pull out a blank paper, grab a pen and I ask the following:
Ê»Dear god, what would you have me know today?Ê» This was a gift of Covid as well because that same week I heard a podcast where Elizabeth Gilbert talked about her practice of doing the same, sheâs the one who gave me this beautiful notion.Â
And god, throws down yʻall. God says exactly what I would expect, but not at all. They sign the letterʻs g and gʻs - which represents god and guides. God and my guides are like a combo platter of the best kind - nurturing, surprising, delicious.
Many of you are already aware, but Liz Gilbert turned this practice into a beautiful Substack, she changed it to âDear Love, what would you have me know todayâ - itâs a fantastic community, called Letters from Love.
Hereâs a recent DGWWYHMKTâs (dear god what would you have me know today) - hope you enjoy!
Dearest Janie,Â
This life is your life,Â
this life is my life,Â
from how you treat people - to how you treat yourself.Â
Do you have a feeling here for what I mean? This life is made for you and me!
So with this life, we get to be a blessing to others. Full stop.
As a person with that mission, you act from that place and watch as the flowing trees and glorious breezes bring you continued blessings.
As you bless others with the god in you, shining out of you, does any other stuff matter?
Nope.
How you lookâŠWhat you âdoââŠWho you knowâŠIt doesnât matter, does it? Is it fun? For sure! But always remember what matters.
So for you Jane, to be a blessing to all you meet, your self-care has to be most excellent. So incredibly and profoundly good. Itâs first! Just to make sure that the vehicle for god (you) is all shiny and capable. So any and all self-care is god care. And sanctioned! Deeply encouraged.
Sweet one, stay close.
With all the love there is,
G and Gâs
*Feel confident god is they/them. It seems like a fantastic use of this new open door policy in our language.
Love this. Love Liz. Love the Guides. Love you!