I think that if there is one single quality we should work to instill in our children it is empathy. There is nothing more valuable to the human soul, there is nothing more crucial to the betterment of human society, there is nothing which can replace it and nothing which can take away from it.
Every single moment I get to experience the idea that I am not an isolated and tiny creation that is isolated from the rest of the universe. The most basic biological process is one which reminds me that my boundaries are permeable and temporary. I am so intimately connected to something Great, and it breathes in me.
My Friend, do you see that this whole incident concerning Jesus and the two sisters was intended as a lesson for active and contemplative persons in every age? Mary represents the contemplative life and all contemplative persons ought to model their lives on hers. Martha represents the active life and all active persons should take … Continue reading Action and Contemplation: The Story of Mary, Martha, and a Samaritan
1. Don't Put a Bunch of Labels on it One of the most common mistakes people make when they are first starting out with mediation is to put all kinds of labels on it. They have an idea of what meditation should look like, and it may very well be a beautiful idea. Maybe they … Continue reading Avoid These Top 5 Meditation Mistakes
Keep on loving one another as brothers and sisters. Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it. Hebrews 13 Céad míle fáilte! A hundred thousand welcomes! This is a traditional Gaelic expression of welcome and generosity with roots that stretch back … Continue reading Sacred Hospitality: The Celtic Spirit and Natural Law
Here is a beautiful reflection on the life and truth of silence. Rich Lewis is a centering prayer teacher and practitioner who writes on the site SilenceTeaches.com. You may have seen some of my writing on his site as well. I did an interview with him a little while back which you can find here. … Continue reading Silence is Not Empty: It is Filled With God
Consider the sunlight. You may say that it is near, yet if you pursue it from world to world you will never catch it. You may say it is far, yet it is right before your eyes. Chase it and it always eludes you; run from it and it is always there. From this example … Continue reading Looking Backwards Through a Prism: Non Dual Thinking and Inner Peace
The Unvisited Lands Go to those unvisited lands. Have your passport ready. Cross the frontier. You won’t need baggage. Test the soil. Taste the water. All you need is a little courage a dash of daring To go into those unexplored vistas of your mind to visit the too-virgin places in your heart. I … Continue reading Coral Castles: The Remarkable Poetry of Carol Bialock
Last week we spoke about the Deep Mystery of Sacred Sadness. The deep and profound sorrow of God is always accompanied by the light and effortless joy of God. The Divine speaks so concisely through joy - so perfectly. Joy is a universal language. All people and animals alike can understand it. Whether you speak Mandarin, … Continue reading Joy is a Universal Language
Love is the root of all joy and sorrow. Slavish fear of God is to be put away. The right fear is the fear of losing God. - Meister Eckhart Often the mystics will speak of a great sorrow in contemplation. It is very common, especially in our modern times to have an intense aversion … Continue reading The Deep Mystery of Sacred Sadness
