Peace
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Snacking on Human Remains
I'm dreaming, and in my dream, I'm looking at a new product, either candy or snacks made from human remains. And while the idea seems slightly repellent, it isn't entirely so–it seems like a good use of a resource that… Continue reading
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The Great Encounter
What do we seek in silence and solitude? First, we seek self-knowledge and self-acceptance, to know and nurture ourselves, for "only in still water do we see our reflection." Henri Nouwen writes: "The greatest gift of solitude…is the gift of… Continue reading
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Noisy World
We live in a noisy world, a world that keeps us from knowing ourselves, knowing each other and knowing God. A world whose uproar erects a barrier to solitude and intimacy, to authentic connection. Such it has always been. Why do… Continue reading
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At Ease in Your Own House
Teresa of Avila tells us, "There is no evil greater than being ill at ease in your own house." We can take that literally, of course, and find plenty of meaning there, but I'm pretty sure she meant something more,… Continue reading
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A Spirituality of Shutting Up
Don't just do something, sit there. Be. Doing can be a way to run away from ourselves, from others and from God. Silence and solitude call us to be present…fully present…in a way we seldom are. This can be difficult,… Continue reading
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Where Will This Day Take Me?
Morning. Yawning. Curious cat, purring. My life. New day. Where will this day take me? Will I learn something of value? meet someone intriguing? do something helpful? find pleasure? satisfaction? hope? sorrow? Will I be in awe at some point?… Continue reading
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Falling Apart, Coming Back Together
Disintegration leads to reintegration. Loss of the "I" (the ego, the self) leads to fuller integration into the greater "I" (which is ultimately union with all, with the divine, with God). This is the pattern of life, repeated daily, even… Continue reading
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Seeing Beyond the Clutter
I'm reading about Gregory of Nyssa, a 4th century bishop who helped define our understanding of the mystery we call the Trinity. The Catholic Church (and others) regard Gregory as a saint. From what I've learned of him, I'd agree.… Continue reading
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Romeo Rests in My Arms
Romeo rests in my arms, purring, kneading my neck and face, allowing me to rub his chest, his head, his ears, the line of his jaw and mouth. Heaven for him. Heaven for me. He relaxes into the curve of… Continue reading
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Cabo San Lucas
Everything here seems sharper, more intense. There are no grays–it's green (grass green, lime green, plastic-chair green, palm-leaf green), or blue (azure-sea blue, swimming-pool-aqua blue), or red (Spanish-tile red, mosaic-roof orange/red, veined marble red), or yellow (tanager yellow, straw-wall yellow),… Continue reading