This painting by Magritte (Belgian artist) always stood apart for me. I have a very personal reading: The blue sky, the dark woods, the tree outside the house, the reflection in the pond in front of the house, all have great symbolism in my mind. The sky--the Source, the Shelter. The house--another, inner shelter. The forest--the outer world, dark and uncertain. The tree--personal growth, our own life. The lamp,--conscience. The reflection in the pond--the relation between the material and the spiritual. The lights in the upstairs windows--inner light, inner wisdom, deeper conscience, illumination. Monday, August 31, 2009
illumine my inner being
" I have wakened in Thy shelter O my God, and it becometh him that seeketh that shelter to abide within the Sanctuary of Thy protection and the Stronghold of Thy defense. Illumine my inner being, O my Lord, with the splendors of the Dayspring of Thy Revelation, even as Thou didst illumine my outer being with the morning light of Thy favor." —Bahá’u’lláh
This painting by Magritte (Belgian artist) always stood apart for me. I have a very personal reading: The blue sky, the dark woods, the tree outside the house, the reflection in the pond in front of the house, all have great symbolism in my mind. The sky--the Source, the Shelter. The house--another, inner shelter. The forest--the outer world, dark and uncertain. The tree--personal growth, our own life. The lamp,--conscience. The reflection in the pond--the relation between the material and the spiritual. The lights in the upstairs windows--inner light, inner wisdom, deeper conscience, illumination.
This painting by Magritte (Belgian artist) always stood apart for me. I have a very personal reading: The blue sky, the dark woods, the tree outside the house, the reflection in the pond in front of the house, all have great symbolism in my mind. The sky--the Source, the Shelter. The house--another, inner shelter. The forest--the outer world, dark and uncertain. The tree--personal growth, our own life. The lamp,--conscience. The reflection in the pond--the relation between the material and the spiritual. The lights in the upstairs windows--inner light, inner wisdom, deeper conscience, illumination. 
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Gratitude
"Be generous in prosperity and thankful in adversity..." (Gleanings from the writings of Bahá'u'lláh)
"Gratitude is a constant attitude of thankfulness and appreciation for life as it unfolds. Living in the moment, we are open to abundance around us and within us. We express appreciation freely. We contemplate the richness of our life. We feast on beauty. We notice small graces and are thankful for daily gifts. In life's trials, we seek to understand, to accept and to learn. Gratitude is the essence of genuine happiness. It is a virtue we can never have too much of. Gratitude is a continual celebration of life." (Second quote thanks to Colin! Where do you get these?)
"Gratitude is a constant attitude of thankfulness and appreciation for life as it unfolds. Living in the moment, we are open to abundance around us and within us. We express appreciation freely. We contemplate the richness of our life. We feast on beauty. We notice small graces and are thankful for daily gifts. In life's trials, we seek to understand, to accept and to learn. Gratitude is the essence of genuine happiness. It is a virtue we can never have too much of. Gratitude is a continual celebration of life." (Second quote thanks to Colin! Where do you get these?)
Saturday, August 29, 2009
...faithful...
"...faithful to the Covenant of God and His agreement,..."
faithful
2 : steadfast in affection or allegiance : loyal
3 : firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty : conscientious
*why obsolete?
(Definition thanks to Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary at www.merriam-webster.com)
In being faithful there is some scientific principle at work, or some kind of magic that is activated by remaining true to one's intention. It's like the ions in a piece of iron. When they are aligned in a haphazard fashion, then the metal is simply a solid lump, with its own color, characteristics and charm. When they are aligned in order, then the lump of iron has an extra quality, and it becomes a magnet. Isn't that how faithfulness works? By aligning ourselves internally we emanate something that otherwise would not be there. And we are all the better for it.
faithful
- Function: adjective
- Date: 14th century
2 : steadfast in affection or allegiance : loyal
3 : firm in adherence to promises or in observance of duty : conscientious
*why obsolete?
(Definition thanks to Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary at www.merriam-webster.com)
In being faithful there is some scientific principle at work, or some kind of magic that is activated by remaining true to one's intention. It's like the ions in a piece of iron. When they are aligned in a haphazard fashion, then the metal is simply a solid lump, with its own color, characteristics and charm. When they are aligned in order, then the lump of iron has an extra quality, and it becomes a magnet. Isn't that how faithfulness works? By aligning ourselves internally we emanate something that otherwise would not be there. And we are all the better for it.
I found this image of a magnet! Is it just me,
or is there a metaphor for the physical and the spiritual here?
or is there a metaphor for the physical and the spiritual here?
Friday, August 28, 2009
Angelic moments
"Chant the verses of guidance among the people and commence [the composition of] melodies of great beauty and effect in praise and glorification of the Generous Lord."('Abdu'l-Bahá)
"Melodies of great beauty and effect" sometimes come from the most unexpected, and untrained sources.
This morning it was so moving to watch a friend's home-video of her 4 year old chanting a prayer for children. It's on a social-network so I can't share it with you here. But the effect was very moving, and came to drive home the notion that chanting is really one of the highest and most complete forms of expression. Everyone should feel free to do it. Train the children to chant and sing.
I learned in a poem once, that the cricket is deaf. The purveyor of one of nature's most characteristic and memorable sounds, cannot benefit from the fruit of its oun effort! So it must be with us, then. I think that when we are at our best, when we act in the best way, when we do the right thing, we probably aren't even conscious of it.
We all have these angelical moments. You have surely known someone to do something incredibly selfless, or thoughtful, or brave, ...and you did not expect it of them. And they probably did not even notice that it was particularly selfless, thoughtful, or brave,... they probably just felt it was the right thing to do. Those are the moments when we are like angels, and we don't even realize it.
The thing is to have more and more of those moments, isn't it?
"Melodies of great beauty and effect" sometimes come from the most unexpected, and untrained sources.
This morning it was so moving to watch a friend's home-video of her 4 year old chanting a prayer for children. It's on a social-network so I can't share it with you here. But the effect was very moving, and came to drive home the notion that chanting is really one of the highest and most complete forms of expression. Everyone should feel free to do it. Train the children to chant and sing.
I learned in a poem once, that the cricket is deaf. The purveyor of one of nature's most characteristic and memorable sounds, cannot benefit from the fruit of its oun effort! So it must be with us, then. I think that when we are at our best, when we act in the best way, when we do the right thing, we probably aren't even conscious of it.
We all have these angelical moments. You have surely known someone to do something incredibly selfless, or thoughtful, or brave, ...and you did not expect it of them. And they probably did not even notice that it was particularly selfless, thoughtful, or brave,... they probably just felt it was the right thing to do. Those are the moments when we are like angels, and we don't even realize it.
The thing is to have more and more of those moments, isn't it?
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Chant, recite, read ...understand ...live
"Chant (or recite) the Words of God every morning and evening..."
"Chant ..." is to entone words melodiously, often in a simple musical scale. The Native American chanting, Arabic chanting, Tibetan Buddhist chanting. I have been enchanted by all three in person. The words touch the human consciousenss with their meaning, and the vibration of the human voice resonates in the ear, and in the heart of the hearer. I feel this is the most complete form of expression. What better way to address our Beloved, the Source of our being?
I think singing, or at least humming a simple melody of two or three notes, is the right and patrimony of all human beings. In traditional, tribal societies everyone is expected to sing, and no one is told to be quiet. When you hear a group of villagers sing all together, the individual voices and timbres are fused into one beautiful sound that touches the heart. Everyone can sing, to a greater or lesser degree, and should do so, and take pleasure in their own singing, and offer this to the Source of our being.
"Chant ..." is to entone words melodiously, often in a simple musical scale. The Native American chanting, Arabic chanting, Tibetan Buddhist chanting. I have been enchanted by all three in person. The words touch the human consciousenss with their meaning, and the vibration of the human voice resonates in the ear, and in the heart of the hearer. I feel this is the most complete form of expression. What better way to address our Beloved, the Source of our being?
I think singing, or at least humming a simple melody of two or three notes, is the right and patrimony of all human beings. In traditional, tribal societies everyone is expected to sing, and no one is told to be quiet. When you hear a group of villagers sing all together, the individual voices and timbres are fused into one beautiful sound that touches the heart. Everyone can sing, to a greater or lesser degree, and should do so, and take pleasure in their own singing, and offer this to the Source of our being.
To inspire
"Chant (or recite) the Words of God every morning and evening. The one who neglects this has not been faithful to the Covenant of God and His agreement, and he who turns away from it today is of those who have turned away from God. Fear God, O my people! Let not too much reading (of the Sacred Word) and actions by day or night make you proud. To chant but one verse with joy and gladness is better for you than reading all the Revelations of the Omnipotent God with carelessness. Chant the Tablets of God in such measure that ye be not overtaken with fatigue and depression. Burden not the soul so as to cause exhaustion and languour, but rather refresh it that thus it may soar on the Wings of Revelation to the Dawning-place of proofs. This brings you nearer to God, were ye of those who understand. (Bahá'u'lláh—Kitáb-i-Aqdas)
I intend to take time out every day to read and meditate on the Sacred. True to my nature, I am going to transform the material I read, making it an entry in this blog, to help me better assimilate it, and to share it with others.
"...To inspire them to realize more and more of their capacities for living meaningful lives. Because there certainly is meaning to life." (John Coltrane)
This is where I place myself when I am chanting, reading or meditating. See? There's a place on the bench for you too.
I intend to take time out every day to read and meditate on the Sacred. True to my nature, I am going to transform the material I read, making it an entry in this blog, to help me better assimilate it, and to share it with others.
"...To inspire them to realize more and more of their capacities for living meaningful lives. Because there certainly is meaning to life." (John Coltrane)
This is where I place myself when I am chanting, reading or meditating. See? There's a place on the bench for you too.
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