Brian’s Reflection: Thursday, Jan 9, 2009
Angels have no physical voice, but mentally never cease to sing glory to God. This is their sole
occupation and all their life is dedicated to this. So … when you enter your closet and close
your door, that is, when your mind is not darting hither and thither but enters within your heart, and your senses are confined and barred against things of this world, and when you pray thus always, you too are then like the holy angels, and your Father, Who sees your prayer in secret, which you bring Him in the hidden depths of your heart, will reward you openly by great spiritual gifts.
- St. Gregory Palamas, Archbishop of Thessalonika, b. 1296
Well, that is about the first sensible thing I have heard said about “angels” in a long time, and we had to go back about 700 years for it! Gregory Palamas depicts “angels” as, in a sense, symbolic enlarged personifications of ….. US! And in doing so, he beautifully illustrates what it means to “go into your closet and close the door” when we pray/meditate/talk with God.
As usual with all manner of things in sacred writing, “closet” here is a metaphor - in this case for an uncluttered, focused, loving heart and mind. Like the angels who have no physical voice (according to Palamas - what about the angels who “speak” in the Bible??), the most intimate form of prayer is voiceless. It is simply giving as much of ones attention as possible to God. The implication is that we, like the angels but in our own human way, are called to live lives dedicated first to “praising God”.
Of course, there are infinite ways to “praise God”. Authenticity of Self. Good works. Evangelical virtues (kindness, compassion, mercy, etc). All these connect us to God. But a mind and heart offering ceaseless (well, the best we can manage!) praise to God in all we are and do – this is when we are most connected to the source of our Being. And the most open to Blessing.
We know that certain “closets” are unhealthy! Most of us need to “come out” of some “closet” or other. But “Prayer in secret” - a healthy place!
Brian+
Monday, January 12, 2009
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Brian’s Reflection: Thursday, January 8, 2009
I think computer viruses should count as life. I think it says something
about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is
purely destructive. We've created life in our own image.
- Stephen Hawking, physicist, philosopher, born on this day, 1942
Well, some of my friends (and perhaps “enemies”!) will be glad to hear me say I don’t agree with Hawking that “the only form of life we have created so far is purely destructive”. I only say such things when I am on a rant. However, I do think that we human beings can be pretty destructive - look around, in any era. The word I disagree with is “purely”. I do not believe in the concept of “purity”. No one, no thing perhaps, is “pure” anything. Good or bad. Gentle or violent. Etc.
Nor do I think that computer viruses should count as “life”. And it would take too long to explain why. However: we (well, at least some of us) produce babies. Perhaps Dr. Hawking meant to say produce “other” or “different” forms of Life?? Many babies do grow up to be pretty destructive.
One of my favourite bumper stickers is “Oh, Evolve”. And here is the problem that Hawking raises, in my mind. Can we? Evolve, I mean. At the moment, we are doing a pretty good job of “creating life in our own image”. Prejudice; hate; fear; xenophobia; power-madness; materialism; tribalism; militarism - the list is long.
I would say that, in some essence, Faith or Religion or Philosophy is about Evolving. That is why human beings have created these paths, and the Gods/Goddesses/Ideas that personify (in most cases) the desire or hope of evolving away from destructive forms of life – especially the evolution of ourselves. I can’t think of any Faith, Religion, or Philosophy which tutors us towards destruction (except some fringe ones, which I shall have the grace to refrain from identifying).
In the Christian tradition, the Incarnation (birth of God in/among humanity) tells us that – yep, you guessed it – the evolution has to be first of ourselves. WE, not “others”, have to evolve. So it is little use going off to “missionize” others; they will only emulate their teachers. As we see in spades these days.
So: to paraphrase the “old song” , “Let Evolving begin on Earth ….. and let it begin with Me!” And You! If any of us want Peace or Justice of Kindness or Compassion, WE have to at least begin becoming living examples of these things.
I suggest we do it “Alone and With Others”. Evolving needs support! And one small step at a time - as one wise person once said, the longest journey begins with the first step. Nourish Creation, not Destruction.
Brian+
I think computer viruses should count as life. I think it says something
about human nature that the only form of life we have created so far is
purely destructive. We've created life in our own image.
- Stephen Hawking, physicist, philosopher, born on this day, 1942
Well, some of my friends (and perhaps “enemies”!) will be glad to hear me say I don’t agree with Hawking that “the only form of life we have created so far is purely destructive”. I only say such things when I am on a rant. However, I do think that we human beings can be pretty destructive - look around, in any era. The word I disagree with is “purely”. I do not believe in the concept of “purity”. No one, no thing perhaps, is “pure” anything. Good or bad. Gentle or violent. Etc.
Nor do I think that computer viruses should count as “life”. And it would take too long to explain why. However: we (well, at least some of us) produce babies. Perhaps Dr. Hawking meant to say produce “other” or “different” forms of Life?? Many babies do grow up to be pretty destructive.
One of my favourite bumper stickers is “Oh, Evolve”. And here is the problem that Hawking raises, in my mind. Can we? Evolve, I mean. At the moment, we are doing a pretty good job of “creating life in our own image”. Prejudice; hate; fear; xenophobia; power-madness; materialism; tribalism; militarism - the list is long.
I would say that, in some essence, Faith or Religion or Philosophy is about Evolving. That is why human beings have created these paths, and the Gods/Goddesses/Ideas that personify (in most cases) the desire or hope of evolving away from destructive forms of life – especially the evolution of ourselves. I can’t think of any Faith, Religion, or Philosophy which tutors us towards destruction (except some fringe ones, which I shall have the grace to refrain from identifying).
In the Christian tradition, the Incarnation (birth of God in/among humanity) tells us that – yep, you guessed it – the evolution has to be first of ourselves. WE, not “others”, have to evolve. So it is little use going off to “missionize” others; they will only emulate their teachers. As we see in spades these days.
So: to paraphrase the “old song” , “Let Evolving begin on Earth ….. and let it begin with Me!” And You! If any of us want Peace or Justice of Kindness or Compassion, WE have to at least begin becoming living examples of these things.
I suggest we do it “Alone and With Others”. Evolving needs support! And one small step at a time - as one wise person once said, the longest journey begins with the first step. Nourish Creation, not Destruction.
Brian+
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Brian’s Reflection: Wednesday, January 7, 2009
World, we live and die on your lap.
On you we play out all our woes and joys.
You are our home, old ancient one.
Forever we cherish you; we could not bear your loss.
We wish to transform you into the pure realm of our dreams,
into a field where all creatures live without prejudice, all equal.
We wish to transform you into a loving warm gentle goddess.
Our wish to embrace you is unchangeably steadfast.
To that end be the ground which sustains us all.
Do not show us the dark side of your character.
And we too will transform you,all your corners
into fertile fields of peace and happiness.
May the harvest of joyfulness and freedom’s sweet scent
fulfill our limitless infinite wishes.
So we pray.
- His Holiness the Seventeen Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorje
who fled Chinese-occupied Tibet on this day, 2000
His Holiness is now 22, I think. He was 14 when he fled his brutally subjugated land. It would be good to know about the Karmapa tradition: “Karmapa” means "the one who carries out buddha-activity" or "the embodiment of all the activities of the buddhas." In the Tibetan tradition, great enlightened teachers are said to be able to consciously arrange to be reborn as a teacher who can carry on the teachings of a predecessor in a prior life. Pursuant to this tradition, the Karmapas have incarnated in this form of manifestation body (Skt. nirmanakaya), for seventeen lifetimes, as of the present, and all have played the most important role in preserving and propagating the Buddhist teachings of Tibet.
I am struck – and delighted – by the gentle and loving sense that the 17th Karmapa has of our relationship with Mother Earth. “You are our home, old ancient one.” He is so aware of the abuse and damage that we humans have inflicted upon Mother Earth, a “loving warm gentle goddess”. Our home. Needing to be transformed “into fertile fields of peace and happiness”.
This certainly resonates with the Gospel. With the Hebrew Scriptures. I completely disagree with the popular interpretation of the Genesis creation story that grants to humans the “right” to “have dominion” over the Earth. As if it was our “right” to destroy our Mother for our own short-sighted, selfish ends! Rubbish!
Ponder His Holiness’s prayer. Remember: “We live and die on your lap.” The Earth is as much our Mother as our biological mother. It is our sacred duty to honour Her, sustain Her, to plant and bring in the “harvest of joyfulness and freedom’s sweet scent”.
Soon may we see Her rise, healed and whole!
Brian+
World, we live and die on your lap.
On you we play out all our woes and joys.
You are our home, old ancient one.
Forever we cherish you; we could not bear your loss.
We wish to transform you into the pure realm of our dreams,
into a field where all creatures live without prejudice, all equal.
We wish to transform you into a loving warm gentle goddess.
Our wish to embrace you is unchangeably steadfast.
To that end be the ground which sustains us all.
Do not show us the dark side of your character.
And we too will transform you,all your corners
into fertile fields of peace and happiness.
May the harvest of joyfulness and freedom’s sweet scent
fulfill our limitless infinite wishes.
So we pray.
- His Holiness the Seventeen Karmapa, Ugyen Trinley Dorje
who fled Chinese-occupied Tibet on this day, 2000
His Holiness is now 22, I think. He was 14 when he fled his brutally subjugated land. It would be good to know about the Karmapa tradition: “Karmapa” means "the one who carries out buddha-activity" or "the embodiment of all the activities of the buddhas." In the Tibetan tradition, great enlightened teachers are said to be able to consciously arrange to be reborn as a teacher who can carry on the teachings of a predecessor in a prior life. Pursuant to this tradition, the Karmapas have incarnated in this form of manifestation body (Skt. nirmanakaya), for seventeen lifetimes, as of the present, and all have played the most important role in preserving and propagating the Buddhist teachings of Tibet.
I am struck – and delighted – by the gentle and loving sense that the 17th Karmapa has of our relationship with Mother Earth. “You are our home, old ancient one.” He is so aware of the abuse and damage that we humans have inflicted upon Mother Earth, a “loving warm gentle goddess”. Our home. Needing to be transformed “into fertile fields of peace and happiness”.
This certainly resonates with the Gospel. With the Hebrew Scriptures. I completely disagree with the popular interpretation of the Genesis creation story that grants to humans the “right” to “have dominion” over the Earth. As if it was our “right” to destroy our Mother for our own short-sighted, selfish ends! Rubbish!
Ponder His Holiness’s prayer. Remember: “We live and die on your lap.” The Earth is as much our Mother as our biological mother. It is our sacred duty to honour Her, sustain Her, to plant and bring in the “harvest of joyfulness and freedom’s sweet scent”.
Soon may we see Her rise, healed and whole!
Brian+
Brian’s Reflection: Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Feast of the Epiphany/Twelfth Night (Christian)
….. were we lead all that way for
Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly,
We had evidence and no doubt.
I have seen birth and death,
But had thought they were different; this Birth was
Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.
We returned to our places, these Kingdoms,
But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,
With an alien people clutching their gods.
I should be glad of another death.
- from “The Journey of the Magi”, by T.S. Eliot
(who died Jan 4, 1965, age 76, in London)
(The whole poem can be found at http://www.blight.com/~sparkle/poems/magi.html )
What an interesting thought! Birth and Death ….. the same in some fundamental way! (Baptism is about the same thing.)
Whatever else Eliot was trying to communicate, I believe he got the power of the myth right. The Feast of the Epiphany is traditionally the “revelation of the God-Presence to the World”. Implying that what the story of the Birth of Jesus is about is “for all people” (as the angels say in the Gospel called Luke). The essential meaning of both the Incarnation and the Epiphany is this: that when we human beings recognize that we fully come to Life by the Mystery of the non-material “spirit” indwelling us, we both die (to a Life defined simply by “flesh”) and are “birthed”. And it can be both “hard and bitter agony” ….. and ecstatic!
Every birth to some new aspect of Life is a death. Human Life is always about both. A lot of “how it feels” depends on your attitude, your perspective, your choices, your “faith”/path. I suspect this is at the core of every religion.
Epiphany. Manifestation. The Feast invites us to “manifest”, as God does, as our full true Selves in the World.
Brian+
Feast of the Epiphany/Twelfth Night (Christian)
….. were we lead all that way for
Birth or Death? There was a Birth, certainly,
We had evidence and no doubt.
I have seen birth and death,
But had thought they were different; this Birth was
Hard and bitter agony for us, like Death, our death.
We returned to our places, these Kingdoms,
But no longer at ease here, in the old dispensation,
With an alien people clutching their gods.
I should be glad of another death.
- from “The Journey of the Magi”, by T.S. Eliot
(who died Jan 4, 1965, age 76, in London)
(The whole poem can be found at http://www.blight.com/~sparkle/poems/magi.html )
What an interesting thought! Birth and Death ….. the same in some fundamental way! (Baptism is about the same thing.)
Whatever else Eliot was trying to communicate, I believe he got the power of the myth right. The Feast of the Epiphany is traditionally the “revelation of the God-Presence to the World”. Implying that what the story of the Birth of Jesus is about is “for all people” (as the angels say in the Gospel called Luke). The essential meaning of both the Incarnation and the Epiphany is this: that when we human beings recognize that we fully come to Life by the Mystery of the non-material “spirit” indwelling us, we both die (to a Life defined simply by “flesh”) and are “birthed”. And it can be both “hard and bitter agony” ….. and ecstatic!
Every birth to some new aspect of Life is a death. Human Life is always about both. A lot of “how it feels” depends on your attitude, your perspective, your choices, your “faith”/path. I suspect this is at the core of every religion.
Epiphany. Manifestation. The Feast invites us to “manifest”, as God does, as our full true Selves in the World.
Brian+
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Brian’s Reflection: Monday, January 5, 2009
True love cannot be found where it truly does not exist.
- Jahan Shah, builder of the Taj Mahal, born
on this day, 1592
This is what “God” is all about. “God” is about finding, “locating”, the place where “true Love” exists. Human beings are superbly brilliant, as is the human brain and heart and “inner spirit”. We discern what we need to Live – and we seek it out, ranging over the Deep Mysteries of Being.
We need, crave, long for Love. Human beings understand – except for the nuts of the World, of which there are alas many, who seem to get the media attention – that only authentic Love makes us happy, and gives us Peace.
This is why Jesus is so compelling – at least as He is “revealed” when you filter out all the nonsense that people surrounded Him with as they sought to establish their own positions of power in the World, especially “the Church”.
People who deeply understand Jesus understand that they are discerning, seeing, the core nature of Love. If we can grasp it, we see that we have found the nature of “true love” where it truly exists. If this were not true, then Christianity is useless nonsense.
A glimpse of “true love” can be found in many places. I know and believe and have experienced that. And I profoundly believe that all the truly “great” religions of the World have such a revelation at their heart. Jesus, His life and teaching, is a superb example. Love exists in the mythological person of Jesus. If this were not so, Christianity would never have survived for 2000 years.
Love is what we need. Do not look for it where it does not exist.
Brian+
True love cannot be found where it truly does not exist.
- Jahan Shah, builder of the Taj Mahal, born
on this day, 1592
This is what “God” is all about. “God” is about finding, “locating”, the place where “true Love” exists. Human beings are superbly brilliant, as is the human brain and heart and “inner spirit”. We discern what we need to Live – and we seek it out, ranging over the Deep Mysteries of Being.
We need, crave, long for Love. Human beings understand – except for the nuts of the World, of which there are alas many, who seem to get the media attention – that only authentic Love makes us happy, and gives us Peace.
This is why Jesus is so compelling – at least as He is “revealed” when you filter out all the nonsense that people surrounded Him with as they sought to establish their own positions of power in the World, especially “the Church”.
People who deeply understand Jesus understand that they are discerning, seeing, the core nature of Love. If we can grasp it, we see that we have found the nature of “true love” where it truly exists. If this were not true, then Christianity is useless nonsense.
A glimpse of “true love” can be found in many places. I know and believe and have experienced that. And I profoundly believe that all the truly “great” religions of the World have such a revelation at their heart. Jesus, His life and teaching, is a superb example. Love exists in the mythological person of Jesus. If this were not so, Christianity would never have survived for 2000 years.
Love is what we need. Do not look for it where it does not exist.
Brian+
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Brian’s Reflection: Sat/Sun, Jan 3/4, 2009
Not all who wander are lost.
- J.R.R. Tolkien, mythologist,
born Jan 3, 1892
… a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around,
"Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn ….. the star appeared
again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until
it hovered over the place of the child ….. they opened their luggage and
presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.
- Matthew 2 – from the Gospel for the Second Sunday after Christmas (Episcopal)
They have come to you, to me, to every child that has been born since the human race came about. The birth of every human being is “announced” by a “star”, noting that the deep Mystery of Existence has been added to. To every one of us “Gifts” are brought: the gold of majesty, the frankincense of divine presence, the myrrh of the wonder and mystery of the Journey of the Mortal Ones.
“God” has been born in each of us. We are made fully alive by that Presence. The Universe wheels on, and we have joined the Journey on this exquisitely beautiful speck of a planet sailing through the galaxy.
We have been granted but a few years to sail the seas of time. We have all the gifts we need to shine in the firmament. To bless the World and each other with Love and with Compassion and with Justice and with Kindness.
Follow the star that announced your birth.
Brian+
Not all who wander are lost.
- J.R.R. Tolkien, mythologist,
born Jan 3, 1892
… a band of scholars arrived in Jerusalem from the East. They asked around,
"Where can we find and pay homage to the newborn ….. the star appeared
again, the same star they had seen in the eastern skies. It led them on until
it hovered over the place of the child ….. they opened their luggage and
presented gifts: gold, frankincense, myrrh.
- Matthew 2 – from the Gospel for the Second Sunday after Christmas (Episcopal)
They have come to you, to me, to every child that has been born since the human race came about. The birth of every human being is “announced” by a “star”, noting that the deep Mystery of Existence has been added to. To every one of us “Gifts” are brought: the gold of majesty, the frankincense of divine presence, the myrrh of the wonder and mystery of the Journey of the Mortal Ones.
“God” has been born in each of us. We are made fully alive by that Presence. The Universe wheels on, and we have joined the Journey on this exquisitely beautiful speck of a planet sailing through the galaxy.
We have been granted but a few years to sail the seas of time. We have all the gifts we need to shine in the firmament. To bless the World and each other with Love and with Compassion and with Justice and with Kindness.
Follow the star that announced your birth.
Brian+
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Brian’s Reflection: Friday, Jan 2, 2009
What in heaven's name is strange about a grandmother
dancing nude? I'll bet lots of grandmothers do it.
- Sally Rand, actress and fan dancer, born on this day, 1904
I hope that Sally is right! OK all you grandmothers out there, you can verify this! Let me know if Sally is right, at least when it comes to you. (I won’t sell this information to anyone, I promise! Nor, if you are a churchgoer, will I email your clergyperson.)
I’ve been to several nudist encampments and beaches in my interesting Life. They both embarrass me and they encourage me. They are, in my view, very helpful. First, they get us over the dreadful grip that modern advertising has on us – where “we” have to be trim and gorgeous and buff etc., or we feel bad. That is, if you have enough background teaching that sensibly reminds you that you don’t have to look like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to be “beautiful”.
Secondly, they remind us that we have bodies, that “God” gave them to us, and that bodies are both to be revered and to be treasured with a certain amount of humour!
Thirdly, the body is a very helpful reminder of our mortality. It gets too fat or thin; it has scars (at least mine has plenty) from the repairs that have had to be made; it quits on us at the most inconvenient times; it stops being able to do the things it used to do; it hurts - and it also reminds us of the joy of simple pleasures, like food and sex and sunshine and jojoba oil and the feel of Egyptian cotton next to it and the warmth of the hot tub ….. etc. Sensual pleasures are a great blessing, if not over-indulged to the point of detriment (I am having to have my face and ears scoured by some meds that take off all the pre-malignant cancers ….. sheesh!)
But my principle point is this: our body comes with the territory of being human. It may be temporary, but it is to be treasured and appreciated and loved and treated well. Even Sally said, “If you love living, you try to take care of the equipment.”
So get out those metaphorical fans, boys and girls ….. grandmother/father or not. Flaunt being flesh as well as spirit! God will be amused ….. and entertained!
Brian+
What in heaven's name is strange about a grandmother
dancing nude? I'll bet lots of grandmothers do it.
- Sally Rand, actress and fan dancer, born on this day, 1904
I hope that Sally is right! OK all you grandmothers out there, you can verify this! Let me know if Sally is right, at least when it comes to you. (I won’t sell this information to anyone, I promise! Nor, if you are a churchgoer, will I email your clergyperson.)
I’ve been to several nudist encampments and beaches in my interesting Life. They both embarrass me and they encourage me. They are, in my view, very helpful. First, they get us over the dreadful grip that modern advertising has on us – where “we” have to be trim and gorgeous and buff etc., or we feel bad. That is, if you have enough background teaching that sensibly reminds you that you don’t have to look like Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie to be “beautiful”.
Secondly, they remind us that we have bodies, that “God” gave them to us, and that bodies are both to be revered and to be treasured with a certain amount of humour!
Thirdly, the body is a very helpful reminder of our mortality. It gets too fat or thin; it has scars (at least mine has plenty) from the repairs that have had to be made; it quits on us at the most inconvenient times; it stops being able to do the things it used to do; it hurts - and it also reminds us of the joy of simple pleasures, like food and sex and sunshine and jojoba oil and the feel of Egyptian cotton next to it and the warmth of the hot tub ….. etc. Sensual pleasures are a great blessing, if not over-indulged to the point of detriment (I am having to have my face and ears scoured by some meds that take off all the pre-malignant cancers ….. sheesh!)
But my principle point is this: our body comes with the territory of being human. It may be temporary, but it is to be treasured and appreciated and loved and treated well. Even Sally said, “If you love living, you try to take care of the equipment.”
So get out those metaphorical fans, boys and girls ….. grandmother/father or not. Flaunt being flesh as well as spirit! God will be amused ….. and entertained!
Brian+
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