Let the beauty we love be what we do

Mission, Justice and Healing Wounds as a Follower of Jesus

2008-04-17T18:01:28Z

Just wanted to cross-post this here from my theology-ish blog. Its part of a "synch-blog" circle of posts by people interested in Emerging/Postmodern/Christian-Pagan dialog. This month's theme is Justice and Mission. I think most respondants are Christian, but are a group Pastor Phil has gathered over the years from around the world, really interesting bunch. The post just after it is a link to everyone else's.

For reference, "Christendom" refers to the idea of the "Christian world," basically what Europe and, to some degree America considered themselves for most of recent history, what happened after the union of Church and State with Constantine, and which is only breaking apart with the rise of secularism, the Enlightenment critique, and the realization that there are more Christians outside the global West/North than in it now!

I share the feeling of many that the union of the message and community of Jesus with state power was a terrible idea, and at least in some part responsible for all the terrible things done in Jesus' name. My post reflects on this, and what "mission" means in a world that seems more in need of healing than being told it needs to convert.  Wrestling with what this means is a big concern of mine right now.

Justice and Mission and the Wounds of Christendom

Ressurecting PilgrimsSolace? (Postings on my new Church and reflections on the land of my birth )

2008-03-10T17:46:10Z

My friend Dan mentioned at least a few people still belong to this place, though I apologize that its been a bit vacant. Decide to share this from my journal, and let people know I might try ressurecting it a bit; I'm creating a few new blogs around some experimental church movements I've been a part of, and the practice of spiritual pilgrimage and dialog that originally inspired this place (and much of my journey)

Exploring Postmodern Ministry in Witch-City
I'm getting very involved in this church at Salem which is dialoging with the neo-pagan community in an intentional, mutually healing way; its a stream of the "Emergent/Emerging/Postmodern" church movement, and one of the most beautiful, wildly experimental groups of Christians I've ever met. The pastor was excommunicated from his original pentocostal denomination for talking to and caring about pagans instead of screaming at them through megaphones. But he's still doing his thing, and looking to combine pentocostal spirituality with ancient forms of Christian chant, meditation, musical experimentation and create a deeply relational, healing space in this fascinating city which has become a sanctuary for many in the neo-pagan movement. Here's some links if anyone's interested

http://salemgathering.com/
Pastor Phil's blog, with an acount of our crazy pub-theologizing this week. Did I mention we have a resident exorcist? Very interesting 14-year Orthodox priest and former monk. :P (he doesnt' think pagans are all demon possessed, for the record, its been interesting chatting with him). He technically offered our two friends an Orthodox blessing/cleansing, not a full exorcism: http://squarenomore.blogspot.com/
Church's other blog, with recent "excommunication" article and some of their work in the commmunity:http://salemgathering.blogspot.com/

Pastor Phil's theology seems a little conservative, until you read the extensive first-hand research he did into neo-pagan values and beliefs and their stated goal of Divinely-guided mutual transformation, rather than a "convert everyone!" approach. Watching him hold the two in tension has really been amazing, and challenges liberal and conservative views of Christianity. They work to LIVE their beliefs, and believe salvation is about BEING like Jesus and letting the encounter with others transform you both. Leaving it in God's hands, and creating Christian sanctuary that welcomse all who cross is doors. Its an approach that's bringing people of all sorts of theologies together.

Oh, lastly did I mention our pastor is learning to speak/pray in Welsh, and likes taking trips to the UK to visit pagan gatherings at ancient holy sites? My church is sooo cool. *beams*

Things have been fantastic, if hectic on other fronts. I'm studying Hindu-Christian chanting communities, looking at some Emergent church/college campus ministry placements for next year and some forms of conflict resolution.

Native Sacred Traditions and Tears for my own Homeland
I made it into this amazing private Native American class that will involve visits, speakers and research with the aim of developing programs for Harvard on this area I care passionately about- which is just amazing. Its a great class, although the reading we just did moved me deeply, given the issues of development and politics facing the land I grew up on and loved. Read several prominant Native American figures who, amongst other things hold that to be indigenous is to love and know the land so much it becomes a part of you.

I feel this, deeply every time I come home. Like driving down that road, in any season is like returning to the heart of my own soul. Knowing that the stance I'm taking, limited development, while the lesser of two evils feels at times like I'm cutting my own heart out. But what choice do we have? There's a big election coming up, and one just passed that was filled with corruption (though the other side got caught, big time). I pray I can play my part in letter-writing, though I know I will weep for the land of my birth no matter what happens.

A "Glimpse of Eden"

2006-09-22T00:55:52Z

(x-posted from the christianity lj)

I just thought I would post something which I discovered about a year ago and which, as a student of anthropology and a person of faith I found deeply fascinating.

It was in a publication called "Parabola" which reflects on myths, ritual and story from sacred traditions around the world. You can find them at http://www.parabola.org/

The article concerns the !Kung people of the Kalahari desert in Africa. I had previously studied this people in my anthropology courses, even seeing old black and white films of their relgious ceremonies, so I knew a little more than the article- including recent studies relating to genetics and language which I'll get to in a second.

The Parabola article basically describes the author's experiences of the beliefs and rituals of this tribe, including drawings by their own hands explaining some of their beliefs. According to the article, they have a range of animistic/shamanic elements seen in tribal cultures around the world, but at the core of their faith lies a belief in a "Big God" who lives in the sky and is their creator, where souls go when they die, and responsible for granting healing to people, through people who seem to be granted His Power. A person feels themselves filled with a white-hot energy, which they can then use to heal their fellow tribe members through laying on of hands and drawing out evil spirits or harmful forces. Some of the !Kung actually drew pictures of how they see this energy, descending down like a line of light from their God in the sky to the person. Their communal life revolves around regular nightly ceremonies where people experience this divine energy, and heal people in the community who need it. The early black and white film I watched was of one such ritual, which went on for hours and was like a cross between a native american ritual and a charismatic Christian worship. I was very moved by the simplicity of their faith, which at the same time seemed to fill every aspect of their lives and bind them together in a commmunity in the middle of the lonely, vast desert they'd been isolated in for millenia.

Now the interesting thing is that several studies have shown this to possibly be one of the oldest genetic and lingual groups on earth. Studies tracing a genetics through ethnic groups around the globe (using mitochondria, which are passed along the mother's eggs rather than DNA, and thus serve as excellent rarely-mutating markers) have found this group to be a "common anscestor" to nearly all the people in the world- or the closest thing we have. At the same time, their language is itself very unussual. The "!" I included before their name is actually a "clicking" sound of which their language has 48 variations and which is unlike all but a few isolated groups in the world. All of these groups are in Africa, and studies have also shown than they are very genetically isolated from each other so likely represent pockets of what the first languages of humanity sounded like.

What amazed, and humbled me is that we may be looking at the cradle of our species in this people- the closest thing to "Eden" you might say. Most evolutionary theories believe we come from Africa, and regardless of how literally you interpret the Bible it has humanity coming also radiating out from a common place, often going "East" which still works with Africa (I for one ascribe to evolutionary science, but also hold that our ancient scriptures and oral stories may contain more truth about our history than most scientists accept, and to throw such out completely denies us precious window into our pre-historic past). Now these people aren't cavemen or any less human than the rest of us- but their isolation means we may be seeing the roots of our common lingual, cultural and religious heritage, which I find a thrilling idea.

And their faith is... interesting. It seems to contain simple elements of monotheism and healing, along with bits and aspects which mirror shamanism and charismatic traditions from around the world. In this "proto-faith," I wonder if we aren't seeing an echo of our species first graspings towards an understanding of the Divine.

Tragically, like many traditional people the !Kung are facing pressures from the outside world which may erase much of their culture. But I thought I would share this "snapshot" of a fascinating people.

Reflections on Light, Divinity and Luminous Reality

2006-09-14T02:08:15Z

Know this place has been fairly lonely lately, but wanted to share this:

I thought I'd refer any of my more mystically inclined friends to this fascinating thread started on the Christianity livejournal. Even post there if you feel so inclined, they welcome people of all religions though registration is required. Otherwise, feel free to comment on this thread if it strikes your fancy.

This thread is really hitting how I see much of reality. :)

http://community.livejournal.com/christianity/2418012.html?view=42395228#t42395228

pilgrimssolace @ 2006-04-21T10:21:00

2006-04-21T14:21:48Z

The Quran online

One should never have too few holy texts around :)

pilgrimssolace @ 2006-03-17T13:35:00

2006-03-17T18:36:00Z

http://www.vnn.org/authors/puru.html

Bhakti Rasamrta Sindu

http://www.vnn.org/editorials/ET9910/ET05-4871.html
http://www.vnn.org/editorials/ET0001/ET25-5337.html
http://www.vnn.org/world/WD0002/WD01-5381.html

Concern for a friend

2006-03-03T22:58:28Z

Hello all, I feel bad this place has somewhat fallen by the wayside, though thanks to Trevoke and others for the past few posts. Shall have to see if I can stir things up around here, now that I have a little more free time.

At the moment I just wanted to ask for thoughts/prayers/intentions for a friend of mine; she's a lady who has long directed the volunteer interfaith community I lived and worked with last year, and was recently diagnosed with cancer. She took a turn for the worst today, and can really use all the spiritual support she can get. Thanks in advance, her name is Anne, and I hope that whatever happens she be at peace.

pilgrimssolace @ 2006-01-23T23:19:00

2006-01-24T04:19:30Z

http://www.thebigview.com/buddhism/index.html
Great explanation of the major buddhist concepts.

pilgrimssolace @ 2006-01-02T11:41:00

2006-01-02T16:41:34Z

Keep this in mind throughout the new year and all those to come, my friends, and ponder it.

Fame or self: Which matters more?
Self or wealth: Which is more precious?
Gain or loss: Which is more painful?
He who is attached to things will suffer much.
He who saves will suffer heavy loss.
A contented man is never disappointed.
He who knows when to stop does not find himself in trouble.
He will stay forever safe.

-- Tao Te Ching, 44

pilgrimssolace @ 2005-12-15T15:00:00

2005-12-15T20:00:40Z

http://www.chebucto.ns.ca/Philosophy/Taichi/taoism.html

A nice history of taoism, for those who are curious of what there is beyond the Tao Te Ching.

Panentheism, and Reality as the Womb of God

2005-12-12T02:40:21Z

This is an incredible article on an idea which lies in many religions, seeing God as ever present and co-creating reality with his creations, rather than sitting up on a cloud telling people what to do. It sums up my beliefs pretty powerfully, and has some interesting potentials for dialogue and common ground between the Theistic and Non-theistic faiths (in light of Trevoke's recent thoughts on Taoism and Christianity). Do check it out if you can:

http://www.stnews.org/articles.php?category=guide&guide=Panentheism&article_id=413

My churches are reaching out to each other... coolness

2005-12-12T01:54:55Z

http://www.beliefnet.com/story/180/story_18093_1.html

Apparently Pope Benedict is reaching out to my other church, the Methodists to join an agreement healing some of the disputes which caused the Reformation. That's pretty cool, and wins him some brownie points in my book, heh.

pilgrimssolace @ 2005-11-29T11:53:00

2005-11-29T16:55:05Z

As you may all know, I'm a Taoist.. I started a discussion, innocently, on my LJ, and after a friend of mine started to bash christianity, I found myself defending it.. This may remind goatoverlord42 of discussions we have when we drive places :)

The God concept is not limiting, for the christian God is limitless. Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent. It is everywhere at the same time.
What is the difference? Well, you are again talking about how Christians understand their religion, and you are not talking about what the religion is.
Christian prayer is a form of meditation. How many do it right? Maybe none. But that doesn't change what it is.
The Christian God is the same concept as the Tao. You cannot understand it. The word "God" is as limiting as the word "Tao".

What is the mistake they made, or what is it that you are getting stuck on? "God" has a personality? I believe that this is a mistake, and that God has no personality. God is not a person. God is beyond understanding. The message of the Christian religion is a message of love, not of hatred; it is explained differently than it is in the Tao, but it is the same thing.

Think about it. The words are different, but can't you see the similitudes? Stop thinking about what people are doing and start thinking about the truth. The Christian religion is not about its people, but about its ideas.

Praying to God should not be "asking God something". It should be a communion with God.

Namaste.

(note : http://www.livejournal.com/users/trevoke/194164.html is the post that started the conversation)

Buddhist links

2005-11-03T16:26:56Z

http://www.geocities.com/ekchew.geo/7factors.htm
http://www.sacred-texts.com/bud/buddha2.htm
http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/india/buddha-life.html
http://home.earthlink.net/~mpaw12/id9.html

More knowledge to be spread around.

Namaste.

pilgrimssolace @ 2005-11-01T15:07:00

2005-11-01T20:07:26Z

http://www.jadedragon.com/

A website that has a lot of articles on health, taoism, martial arts, feng shui, and so on and so forth. Very well-written, I landed on it while researching 'wu wei' (non-action) for someone in a taoist community.

Cross-posting to : trevoke, tao_talk, pilgrimssolace, _tao_te_ching, _martial_arts (I feel like I need to spread this one out).

Bhagavad-Gita Chapter XIV

2005-10-23T21:37:20Z

link

Krishna
Again I will declare to you the highest knowledge, the best of all kinds of knowledge, with which all sages have reached perfection beyond the bonds of this body. Those who, resorting to this knowledge, are united with my essence, are not born at the creation, and are not afflicted at the destruction of the universe.

The great Brahman is a womb for me, in which I cast the seed. From that, O descendant of Bhaata, is the birth of all things. Of the bodies, O son of Kunti, which are born from all wombs, the main womb is the great Brahman, and I am the father, the giver of the seed.

Lucidity, passion, dark inertia, these qualities born from nature bind down the inexhaustible soul in the body.

Of these, lucidity, which, in consequence of being untainted, is enlightening and free from all misery, binds the soul with the bond of pleasure and the bond of knowledge.

Know that passion consists in being enamored, and is produced from craving and attachment. Passion binds down the embodied self with the bond of action.

Dark inertia is born of ignorance, it deludes all embodied selves. Dark inertia binds down the self with heedlessness, indolence, and sleep.

Lucidity unites the self with pleasure; passion unites the self with action; and dark inertia unites the self with heedlessness, after shrouding up knowledge.

Passion and dark inertia being repressed, lucidity stands.

Passion and lucidity being repressed, dark inertia stands and likewise dark inertia and lucidity being repressed, passion stands.

When in this body at all portals knowledge prevails, then should one know lucidity to be developed.

Avarice, activity, performance of actions, want of tranquillity, desire, these are produced when passion is developed.

Want of light, want of activity , heedlessness, and delusion, these are produced when dark inertia is developed.

When an embodied self encounters death, while lucidity is developed, then he reaches the untainted worlds of those who know the highest.

Encountering death during the prevalence of passion, he is born among those attached to action.

Likewise, dying during the prevalence of dark inertia, he is born in the wombs of the ignorant.

The fruit of meritorious action is said to be good and untainted; while the fruit of passion is misery; and the fruit of dark inertia is ignorance.

From lucidity is produced knowledge, from passion avarice, and from dark inertia heedlessness and delusion and ignorance.

Those who adhere to the ways of lucidity go up; the passionate remain in the middle; while those of the qualities of dark inertia, adhering to the ways of the lowest quality, go down.

When a right-seeing person sees none but the qualities to be the doers of all action, and knows what is above the qualities, he enters into my essence. The embodied self, who transcends these three qualities, from which bodies are produced, attains immortality, being freed from birth and death and old age and misery.

Arjuna
What are the characteristics, O lord, of one who has transcended these three qualities? What is his conduct, and how does he transcend these three qualities?

Krishna
He is said to have transcended the qualities, O son of Pandu, who is not averse to light and activity and delusion when they prevail, and who does not desire them when they cease, who sitting like one unconcerned is never perturbed by the qualities, who remains steady and moves not, thinking merely that the qualities exist, who is self-contained, to whom pain and pleasure are alike, to whom a clump of dirt and a stone and gold are alike, to whom what is agreeable and what is disagreeable are alike, who has discernment, to whom censure and praise of himself are alike, who sees no difference between honor and dishonor, who is does not take the side of friends or foes, and who abandons all action.

And he who worships me with an unswerving devotion, transcends these qualities, and becomes fit for entrance into the essence of the Brahman. For I am the embodiment of the Brahman , of indestructible immortality, of eternal devotion, and of unbroken happiness.

Tragic Death in a Friend's Family

2005-10-18T03:05:48Z

Just wanted to ask people to send prayers and good thoughts for a dear friend who's dad just died completely unexpectedly tonight. The poor kid's in his first semester away at college, and his brother's just starting high school. I can't imagine what the family's going through right now. My friend's name is Jonathan, and his dad's Carlos. Thanks in advance...

New Group on Spirituality and Psychology/Therapy

2005-10-17T02:03:18Z

Just wanted to let everyone know about something exciting that I'm helping to organize at NYU, in the graduate social work school I attend. It started out as an attempt to continue a little meditation group that ran last year, and its become an overwhelming success. We currently have at least three professeurs potentially interested, as well as a number of students which seems to double every week.

We've started with meeting weekly in a discussion group, sharing our own spiritual journeys, much as we do here and also discussing the potential for interaction between spirituality and psychology, and what that means to us as students. Our hope is to also involve some sort of weekly offering, be it prayer or meditation, from our diverse backgrounds, and also have some guest speakers and trips, like done here. It looks like we'll even have the opportunity to help one professeur design a future course relating to these issues.

The group has been simply incredible so far, so I simply wanted to make people here aware of it. It would be great to have people visit even if they're not in the school (I'll need to check on guest policies in certain buildings, but if you want to come let me know). Additionally, I've been trying to send out a weekly digest of our discussions, something people here might be interested in. If you are, please let me know and I'll put you on the mailing list. Stay tuned for further updates, I'd love to see these two groups interact in meaningful ways.

question

2005-10-14T19:10:33Z

i would like yall to seriously respond to this question

if you could make one person God (preferably not yourself) who would it be and why?

and if you want post this question in your own journal to see what YOUR friends say

my choice would be saul williams

my reasoning? saul is a brilliant poet and philosopher in my mind

and a lot of his poems deal with spirituality in the world and socioeconomic problems

i'd like to see a Saulian world exist

and you?

ACK! I'm late!

2005-10-07T23:25:20Z

So. Another month has begun. Here are the details: The month is Puanepsion, and it runs from October the 4th through November the 1st. Lots to do this month. Here's the rundown:

Proerosia Saturday, October 8th (the 5th day of Puanepsion):
This was an agricultural festival held at Eleusis in honor of Demeter. The name translates, basically, as "preliminary to ploughing," which gives you an idea of the point of this one. Offerings of first fruits (mostly grain) are given to Demeter to ask for her blessing at the beginning of the sowing season. Apollons oracle told the Athenians to begin the Proerosia in order to end a horrible famine, and this story is recounted at the festival.

Puanepsia Monday, October 10th (the 7th day of Puanepsion):
This was a festival dedicated to Phoebus Apollon. The God was offered a sacrifice of a he-goat (sorry goatoverlord42), and a lamb, and a meal was held for him. During the procession, each boy carried an eiresione, the traditional sign of a supplicant. However on this day, the eirisione, normally a bough of olive wreathed with wool, was possibly made of laurel, and was decorated with pastries shaped like wineskins, harps, and cups, along with real fruit. The boys carried the boughs from house to house, begging for food, and singing. If the occupant gave them something to eat, they would give him an eirisione to bless his house. The ritual food that gave its name to this festival (and this month) consists of a mixture of boiled legumes. According to myth, Theseus and his crew returned to Athens on this day, and offered Apollon this dish, made from the remains of their provisions. The combination of all the plants also works well as a prayer for a bountiful harvest.

Oskhophoria Monday, October 10th (the 7th day of Puanepsion):
Note the date. Same as the preceeding holiday. This isn't a mistake on my part. It just works out that way. This was a celebration of the wine harvest (well, the harvest of the grapes used to make the wine), in honour of Dionysos, when men carried vine branches with the grapes still clinging to them through the town in a procession. Hymns about the harvest and winemaking were sung. A ritual meal was held, where legends were told (mainly about Theseus) and acted out.

Thesia Tuesday, October 11th (the 8th day of Puanepsion):
A festival honouring Theseus (seeing a pattern this month?), the son of Poseidon. There was a procession, sacrifices, athletic contests, and a feast including a porridge of wheat and milk (kind of like oatmeal).

Stenia Wednesday, October 12th (the 9th day of Puanepsion):
This was a nocturnal women's festival for Demeter and Persephone in preparation for the Thesmophoria (see below). The women insulted each other light-heartedly to commemorate the way Iambe made the grieving Demeter laugh. Votive offerings were thrown into pits in the sanctuary of Demeter, including bread in the shape of phalluses and snakes, as well as sacrificed pigs.

Thesmophoria Friday, October 14th, through Sunday, October 16th (the 11th, 12th, and 13th days of Puanepsion:
An all-female agricultural festival in honour of Demeter and Persephone, held in Demeter's hillside sanctuary. On the first day, the women climbed the hill and made camp, sleeping on the ground in huts. On the second day, the women sat on the ground and fasted from all solid food (except pomegranate seeds) in sympathy with Demeter's mourning. They taunted each other in iambic verse, in imitation of Iambe and Demeter. On the third day, there was a torch-lit ceremony, because Demeter sought Persephone by torch light. This may have been when the offerings were eremoved from the earth by purified priestesses, and placed on the altars of the goddess. Later, this compost was mixed with the grain to be sown the following month. The rest of the day was spent in joyous celebration.

Khalkeia Tuesday, November 1st (the 29th day of Puanepsion):
A festival of smiths, associated with Hephaistos and Athene. It was a day of rest from work, and a procession of workers moved through the town carrying baskets of corn. Later, a feast was held.

pilgrimssolace @ 2005-10-05T12:04:00

2005-10-05T16:04:22Z

Does anyone know where to get a meditation pillow, or what a good one should be like?

Just a Clarification/Challenge

2005-10-02T03:14:56Z

Hello all, glad to see lots of people about, new and old. It just occurred to me that some of our newer members or visitors might not be sure if there's any rules about who can post or not, etc. Just wanted to make it clear there are no restictions, anyone is free to post any question, thoughts, prayer request or comment they like, so long as they are done in a spirit of mutual respect and compassion towards everyone else here. That said, I hope to see everyone start posing interesing thoughts or topics soon, I know we sure have a ton of cool perspectives here. I don't want to be the one starting most (thanks trevoke!) threads around here. :P

pilgrimssolace @ 2005-09-29T14:17:00

2005-09-29T18:18:09Z

As part of a belief discussion which sprouted on www.shadownessence.com/forum in The Void, I explained to someone what the Tao was.. So I wrote this little summary, which, if you know what to look for, probably will tell you more about me than it will about the Tao; but if you don't know what to look for, it's, I hope, a good introduction to the Tao Te Ching.

I'll begin by quoting the first chapter of the Tao Te Ching:

The Tao that can be told is not the eternal Tao.
The name that can be named is not the eternal name.
The nameless is the beginning of heaven and Earth.
The named is the mother of the ten thousand things.
Ever desireless, one can see the mystery.
Ever desiring, one sees the manifestations.
These two spring from the same source but differ in name; this appears as darkness.
Darkness within darkness.
The gate to all mystery.

The Tao (also spelt Dao De Jing depending on the transcription style used) is introduced as being greater and larger than human mind can comprehend. Somewhere on the same level as 'infinite'. According to this chapter, I am "ever desiring", because I see the manifestations.. It seems that it would be a good thing to be desireless, so that one could see the mystery, but there is nothing wrong with being desiring. It just is a way to be.

It has many elements: some sound like advice to a ruler, some sound like insights into the Tao, some sound like the writer has found a great type of drug and it's selfish of him not to share THAT with us.
However, the element which is ever-present is balance. I don't think that it is moderation; moderation indicates it is possible to make an excess; and moderation implies, potentially, restrain of some sort.

Better to stop short than fill to the brim.
Oversharpen the blade, and the edge will soon blunt.
Amass a store of gold and jade, and no one can protect it.
Claim wealth and titles, and disaster will follow.
Retire when the work is done.
This is the way of heaven.

It must be understood, however, that "heaven" is not a reward. heaven is opposite to earth, like yin is opposite yang, and male is opposite to female. You may then ask, well, if it's about balance, if we all follow this, where will the balance be? That's a great question; and the answer is, in fact, found within the Tao itself, and that is my current favorite chapter.

The wise student hears of the Tao and practices it diligently.
The average student hears of the Tao and gives it thought now and again.
The foolish student hears of the Tao and laughs aloud.
If there were no laughter, the Tao would not be what it is.

Hence it is said:
The bright path seems dim;
Going forward seems like retreat;
The easy way seems hard;
The highest Virtue seems empty;
Great purity seems sullied;
A wealth of Virtue seems inadequate;
The strength of Virtue seems frail;
Real Virtue seems unreal;
The perfect square has no corners;
Great talents ripen late;
The highest notes are hard to hear;
The greatest form has no shape;
The Tao is hidden and without name.
The Tao alone nourishes and brings everything to fulfillment.

The answer to the question is obviously in the first four lines: not everyone is going to follow the Tao. It is that simple. The rest, well, is something I have not understood yet, so as far as the categories cited earlier, that's in the "sweet drugs, dude!" category.
Also, my understanding of the Tao is ever-changing; or so it SHOULD be. My interpretations are what is good for me at my point in life; they may help someone else, but you are encouraged to make your own.. 8-) It is likely that someone who understands the Tao does not need to explain it.

There are a few more lessons within the Tao; I will quote two more short chapters (there are 81) and then leave you with a quote, and a URL if you care to read more about the quote.

Thirty spokes share the wheel's hub;
It is the center hole that makes it useful.
Shape clay into a vessel;
It is the space within that makes it useful.
Cut doors and windows for a room;
It is the holes which make it useful.
Therefore benefit comes from what is there;
Usefulness from what is not there.

****

When the Tao is present in the universe,
The horses haul manure.
When the Tao is absent from the universe,
War horses are bred outside the city.

There is no greater sin than desire,
No greater curse than discontent,
No greater misfortune than wanting something for oneself.
Therefore he who knows that enough is enough will always have enough.

And now, the quote; which, in fact, may indicate that being only a taoist is a mistake 8-)
To the last class of scholars belonged Chwen Hih (Hu dai shi), known as Chwen the Great. He is said to have been accustomed to wear a Confucianist hat, a Buddhist robe, and Taoist shoes. It was in A.D. 534 that he presented a memorial to the Emperor Wu, in which he explained the three grades of good. "The Highest Good consists," says he, "in the emptiness of mind and non-attachment. Transcendence is its cause, and Nirvana is its result. The Middle Good consists in morality and good administration. It results in a peaceful and happy life in Heaven and in Earth. The Lowest Good consists in love and protection of sentient beings." Thus his idea of good, as the reader will see without difficulty, is the result of a compromise of Taoism and Buddhism. Sin Wang Ming (Sin-o-mei, On the Mind-King), one of his masterpieces, together with other minor poems, are still used as a textbook of Zen. This fact unmistakably proves that Taoist element found its way into the constituents of Zen from its very outset in China.]

link : Religion of the Samurai

cross-posted to trevoke

"A Spirituality of Meaningful Coincidences"

2005-09-29T01:30:57Z

I mentioned this idea to a friend over email, and she asked me what it means. I warned her I could end up writing a book-sized email about it, and did, so I thought I'd at least share it here too and see what people think. :)

Basically I've just come to believe, from readings but most importantly from personal experience of little things which happen in daily life that are too meaningful to be random. Jung, one of my favorite psychologist and the most sensitive to the spiritual dimension of life called these meaningful coincidences "synchronicities," and saw them often carry deep meanings for a persons personal or spiritual development. Paulo Coulo also writes about this idea in his famous book "The Alchemist." He writes an allegorical story of a shepherd boy on a spiritual journey, learning to become more aware of the subtle signs which present themselves along the way in guiding him to his destiny. In the story it was related to a vague idea of God, but from the author's other books its clear he personally believes in this experience, and doesn't see it as tied to any particular religion.
And of course there is a rich legacy, the ancient shamans and diviners reading meaning out of seemingly mundane occurrences, and ancient Christian monks offering spiritual direction to people by teaching them to see God's messages in their lives.
I've even heard some ideas on coming out of quantum physics, where the normal laws of time and space seem to break down and show the universe to be interconnected in some wonderfully weird ways. Such as the fact scientists have found that two quarks (the smallest particle known) which were once associated are linked so that if you change the way one spins, the other will change too. This seems to happen over any distance, even if they are on opposite sides of the universe. Rings true with the strange ways our own lives seem connected at times.
But personal experience is, by far the biggest thing that has led me towards this belief. The call from an old friend that comes just as you are thinking about them, or when you need it most. The dream of a loved one at the point of their death, miles away (this actually happened to my mom, and I've read about dozens of others).
In the past few months I've had a ton, esspecially as I've tried to start journaling my dreams more (seen for ages as a deep source of spiritual, and in more modern times psychological insight). Just yesterday for example when, after a few days of intense stressing over how much grad school was tossing me, the current members of my little home church sent me a sizable check out of the blue. My bill was due the next day. My pastor had died a few months back, very peacefully and as ready as anyone could for the afterlife, though we all still miss him a great deal. The remaining church members were distrubuting the funds to places they felt they were needed. But it arrived just in time to calm my fears and remind me a man who had deeply inspired me and always believed in me was still with me in a special way.
This isn't the easiest concept to understand, and it can easily lead to confusion... trying to read signs and messages into every day life can drive you nuts (possibly literally, as I understand it Jung went through a period where he got a bit wack), but if one carefully develops the ability to see meaning in their lives, I truly believe they will find it. One person might see them as messages from the unconscious psyche, others as miracles, others as God's messages, another as signs independent of any religion. But I've been amazed by my own experiences thus far.

Blessings of the Animals! (This Sunday)

2005-09-27T02:19:11Z

Hello all, just wanted to let people find out that I found out just tonight, while waiting on line to see the Dali Lama that there will be the annual blessing of the animals at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine the Sunday, in honor of the Feast of St. Francis. This is a pretty huge event, possibly the most animals in a single church in the world? :P From what I hear, they've had ELEPHANTS in the past.

I'm trying to work out a way to go, and would love to have people join me. Its at 11 am next Sunday, 10/2, and there is more info on the cathedral site HERE: as Coz and Sara can tell you, this place is something to see regardless, I believe its the biggest Gothic cathedral in the world, and really beautiful. Having hoards animals trapsing around will just be nuts :)

http://www.stjohndivine.org/news_events.html

Feel free to post here or email the site's address if you're interested. I'm still working out my own plans to get there, but will do anything I can to help people figure things out.