At ‘oh-dark-thirty’ Saturday morning, I sat in my back yard staring into the dark sky in the direction of Orion the Hunter in the hope of spotting a meteor or two as the Earth passes through the dust of Halley’s Comet. The annual event is called the Orionid Meteor Shower. In the stillness of the …
Category Archives: Mind
Vision Quest, part II: Three Notable Vision Quests
The population of the world is approximately 7 billion, and nearly 60% of all men, women and children on this planet claim to practice one of these three religions: Christianity 2.1 billion Islam 1.5 billion Buddhism 376 million Common among these three religions is …
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Namaste
Last month, we suggested that the simple act of greeting your fellow man each day with a smile on your face is one of the most important acts you can accomplish. I’ve since crossed paths with the greeting “Namaste” from the Indian sub-continent. Pronounced “NAH-mah-stay” with the emphasis on the first syllable, it can be …
Free the Angel
Several years ago, one of my spiritual guides introduced me to the work and spirituality of Thomas Merton. I continue to explore it every day. His frequent reference to “point vierge” [literally translated as ‘the virgin point’] has been an important concept in my continuing quest to learn who I truly am. Merton writes: “The …
The time is always ripe to do right
Time can be our ally, or time can be our fiercest enemy. Has anyone ever said to you, “Time heals all wounds?” Many attribute those words to the ancient Greek dramatist Menander. Country award-winning vocalist Clint Black includes a litany of classic ‘time statements’ in his memorable 2004 song “Spend My Time:” “Seems I made …
Thomas Merton, Chief Yellow Lark and the Gifts of Sunrise and Sunset …
Oh, to be thankful for what we have and not rue what we do not have! That is noble and worthy of the Vitruvian Man. I wish I knew more about Chief Yellow Lark. Many months ago, I learned the Sioux prayer whose translation is attributable to him. Yet search as I might, I find …
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Birds and Contemplation
I believe in the power of contemplation, that it can enlighten a mind and put a troubled soul at rest. My original intent with this blog was to reflect on one of my favorite passages by Thomas Merton: “When no one listens to the quiet trees, When no one notices the sun in the pool …