Tuesday, August 25, 2026
On our way to Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, the bus stopped for a photo break of the spectacular peaks of the Teton mountain range. The driver pointed to a log cabin in the distance, a cottage in the middle of a meadow of swaying yellow flowers and wild grass. Behind these was the restroom. I hurried toward it when I noticed a sign board: “The Episcopal Chapel of the Transfiguration” in front of a chapel. I wondered, what exactly does transfiguration mean?
When I returned, people had already seen the chapel and left. I entered, looked around its sparse decoration and plain walls constructed with logs. It moved me. The space felt cool and comfortable. In front of a large rectangular glass window was a table on which was placed a cross flanked by two glass vases with fresh-cut flowers. I sat on the corner seat of the front pew. A ray of sunlight through the glass pane blinded me. I couldn’t see what was behind it. The room was silent. I closed my eyes, inhaling and exhaling deeply. A picturesque image of the Tetons floated into mind. How blessed I was to view this glorious site in person! Peace enveloped me.
When I opened my eyes, the glare was gone. The glass panel framed the exquisite Teton peaks. The view was so mesmerizing that I kept still. Had the Divine within the chapel exploded beyond the walls of the cabin into the vast nature? Had the finite transformed into boundless infinite? The wooden cross had indeed transfigured into sublime nature – dispeller of darkness, spiritual mentor was enlightening me about the nature of my existence. It seemed to say, What is without is within you! All is God!
“Let’s go! People are waiting,” my husband called from the door. I staggered to the door but was totally embodied, empowered within.
Our stop was Yellowstone, America’s first national park. The power of the Great Falls and the force with which Old Faithful erupted seemed to be a manifestation of the same Divine Intelligence I had experienced in the chapel, in Teton Peaks.Later I looked up the word transfiguration – a form that completely changes into a grander beauty and greater spiritual majesty. Isn’t transfiguration what you and I are doing in this class on our spiritual journey together? Finding direction toward our limitless selves? Empowering our creative and spiritual Self and learning to come down the mountain to live with majestic joy, the likes of which we have never felt before