awareness
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The Choice Is Yours
Catherine of Siena tells us, "It's heaven,all the way to heaven.It's hell,all the way to hell." Which road have you chosen? Jesus tells us, "The kingdom is here and now,within you,available to thosewith open eyes and hearts." Where do you… Continue reading
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On Growing Old
He witnessed the aging of his bodywith detachment–as if it were happening to an uncleor a neighbor. The graying hair,the sagging in the face,the loss of mobility and strength–no, not after a lifetimeof doing it right–eating, exercising, making all the… Continue reading
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The Poet
"I'm just rhyming," she said. "Rhyming what?" he asked. "Words, silly. Words and phrases.I'm playing, experimenting." "For what purpose?" She tapped the top of the penagainst her pursed lips."Well, every now and thensomething falls into place–something happens–and there's meaning,or depth,or… Continue reading
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Hiking with Death
Climbing the trail,I'm joined by a young woman. We chat,observing the shift toward winter,the changing colors,the increasing coolness,how this path of gravelwill soon be packed with snow,rutted by cross-country skis,pocked with snow-shoe tracks. "Your name?" I ask. "My friends call… Continue reading
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Looking Back on the Day of Epiphany
So the tree is down and gone for another year.The living room expands, which is a plus,and the furniture breathes deeperand eases back into its familiar placement. But gone, as well, are the colored lights,the sparkle of ornaments,the friendly jostling… Continue reading
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In the Forest
You are lost in a forest.The undergrowth blocks you.Trees lean in.Light fades.Unidentified noises circle. What dangers waitin the creeping darkness? You know, don't you?You've always feared your erratic behaviors your in-crowding thoughts, your disquieting longings, your… Continue reading
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Empty
"This morning,"she said,hands wrapped for warmtharound her coffee cup,"I woke up empty." "Empty?" he asked,spoonful of All-Branhalfway to his mouth."Empty as in…how?"For him,empty could be good, like Zen: open, clear, ready.Or empty could be sad, like death: … Continue reading
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A Life of Meaning
If you want that life–that life of meaning,that life of union with the divine,that life of satisfaction, devotion, wholeness,that life of true and constant perspective–then pursue it full-heartedly. Don't go about it half-assed.It's all or nothing. Text and image © 2013… Continue reading
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Where Emptiness Leads
early morning darknesshouse chill from winter's nighthe sits on the couchalone, sadtentatively tasting an emptinesshe can't yet labelhe waits for the padded arms of the couchto wrap and hold himassure him the emptinesswhatever it iswill passor fillor perhaps take himsomewhereanywhereinto… Continue reading
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Incarnation
We,the children of incarnation,hereby declarethat we are not one,but many.We are composite;we are alloy. Pure? No, never.Emphatically. We are the cross-bred childrenof the cross-bred children,of the original parents–the melding of divinity and humanity,as was intended,as was anticipated. We,arethe childrenof messy,… Continue reading