From about the age of twelve or thirteen, I have wanted to be the kind of saint who could merge her own consciousness with God’s. It was never clear to me whether this longing was really for God or for safety. Perhaps, I reasoned, if I could only be filled with divine Love, right up to the brim and overflowing, people would not want to hurt me. Or if they still did, it wouldn’t hurt! The Love would block it, as molasses blocks water.
