Stillness, silence, solitude and darkness

"Stillness, silence, solitude and darkness have long been pathways to wisdom, visions, dreams, and messages from the mystery. We see this in traditional rites of passage that involve spending time alone in nature for a time, in spiritual traditions that require periods of complete solitude, or practices that focus on silence or deep nature immersion. These experiences allow us to access longings, memories, intuitions, and messages that are inaccessible in everyday life."

Kristen Roderick, Excerpt from online course Union: Rituals of Remembering through the Seasons

Today is Workers' Memorial Day. We need to mourn for the dead, not be complicit in injustice, and fight like hell for the living.

Today is Workers' Memorial Day, the day when we remember all of those who died at work or from workplace injuries and illnesses. It should be a day of mourning---part of an extended period of national mourning for the victims of COVID and for our lack of a national healthcare policy and a national healthcare service---and a day of action and protest.

Walking With Wisdom ~ Mother Teresa

I found this on The Contemplative Monk Facebook page:

Walking With Wisdom ~ Mother Teresa

"We cannot find God in noise and agitation. Nature: trees, flowers, and grass grow in silence. The stars, the moon, and the sun move in silence. What is essential is not what we say but what God tells us and what He tells others through us. In silence He listens to us; in silence, He speaks to our souls. In silence, we are granted the privilege of listening to His voice.

Silence of our eyes.
Silence of our ears.
Silence of our mouths.
Silence of our minds.
...in the silence of the heart
God will speak.

Silence of the heart is necessary so you can hear God everywhere - in the closing of the door, in the person who needs you, in the birds that sing, in the flowers, in the animals.

If we are careful of silence it will be easy to pray."

Scream if you have to...

We return to a suffering world after celebrating Easter. Sins are forgiven, reconciliation abounds, we have an opportunity to try again---or I hope that we do. Please don't crash and burn when you meet the hard wall that sometimes is life. We're human, and we have human joys and sorrows. Some days begin with tears and end in laughter. If you can't carry your burdens, ask for help. Everyone makes mistakes, but try to put your mistakes and those of others in perspective. It may help to take every mistake as an opportunity to learn how to analyze without over-thinking. Try living in an "I get too..." instead of a "I have to..." world as much as you can. This is is really difficult if you work for a living or have a family or responsibilities to others, but some of your responsibilities liberate you and strengthen you and give you much to be proud of. Ask yourself if you can make what you have to do into an art or into something of beauty. 

  

"An old soul is a spiritual soul who tends the headwaters of their being, flowing and watering the garden of God in their hearts. This is your spiritual practice, that you might become the change your heart longs to see, living heaven on earth."
~Bob Holmes

Some positive thoughts for those who are hurting and lost, for workers, for busy people who need rest and compassion

Our animal friends teach us...

 

On Silence, Speaking, And Love...

 

Trees, Prayers, Silence, Blossoming...