“Respect the man of noble races other than your own, who carries out, in a different place, a combat parallel to yours — to ours. He is your ally. He is our ally, be he at the other end of the world. Love all living things whose humble task is not apposed in any way to yours, to ours: men with simple hearts, honest, without vanity and malice,
and all the animals, because they are beautiful, without exception and with exception indifferent to whatever idea there may be. Love them, and you will see the eternal in the glance of their eyes of jet, amber, or emerald.
Love also the trees,
the plants,
the water that runs through the meadow and on to the sea without knowing where it goes;
love the mountain,
the desert,
the forest,
the immense sky, full of light or full of clouds; because all these exceed man and reveal the eternal to you”
-Savitri Devi
Tag Archives: Uplifting Words
Many Paths to the Ultimate Mystery
Connection and intimacy with the all pervasive creative force that we are immersed in is called by many names across the world’s cultures. We all crave it, this connection to some thing greater than ourselves, that eternal, encompassing, all knowing force.
No intermediary needed. No religion. Rather an authentic, individual, unique, real and raw communion.
These words from Brother Teasdale, and Rory McEntee and Adam Bucko about interspirituality spoke to me of these cravings. Of the mystic and mysterious unknowable knowing I seek daily. We need not be separated by how we get there and we can certainly help each other in the understanding of the journey. We can even help each other get there. Sharing our authentic, individual, unique experience and deeply listening to others, we find, feel and know the Ultimate Mystery. Imagine.
“The religion of humankind can be said to be spirituality itself, because mystical spirituality is the origin of all the religions. If this is so, and I believe it is, we might say that interspirituality — the sharing of ultimate experiences across traditions — is the religion of the third millennium. Interspirituality is the foundation that can prepare the way for a planet-wide enlightened culture…”
-Brother Wayne Teasdale (Catholic Monk)
“Each religion, we believe, offers a unique way into the Ultimate Mystery and unique fruits, as does each individual journey. We are ready to move into a unity that is full, that welcomes all textures, where the Buddha’s equanimity complements Christ’s radical love in action, and where the Hebrew prophetic outrage can be merged with the incarnate spirituality of the prophet Muhammad, peace be upon him, and the timeless revelations of the Hindu sages.”
-Rory McEntee and Adam Bucko
“We must all achieve our identity on the basis of a radical authenticity… ”
– Raimundo Panikkar, “The Silence of God,” Introduction p. xviii
Summer of Love
Summer 2015 has truly been a summer of love. A season filled to brimming with jubilant, sincere, joyous weddings where families and friends came together in celebration and support of couples committing to a partnership through life.
The vows, the radiance, the hope, the steadfast support of family and friends, the beauty, all made for days filled with wonder, deep love, and all the sweet and touching scenes that now reside as forever memories.
It’s so much more than wedding planning! This crazy, busy season has ultimately been a privilege and a pleasure. To share these intimate, sacred, uniquely personal, celebrations of Love, is a honor.
Forever memories were made for me too!
So here’s to Renee & Ric, Fawn & Rick, Lizzie & Alec, Beth & Lucas, Robin & Tyler, Sarah & John, Sara & Kyle and Dane & Nate. May you respect and honor each other as lovers and friends, as confidants and companions on life’s journey. I have faith in each and every one of you to take care of each other, and that you will always honor and keep each other.
All you need is Love.
“In the end, only three things matter: how much you loved, how gently you lived, and how gracefully you let go of things not meant for you.”
-Buddha
Soul of the River
I had been afraid of the awful presence of the river, which was the soul of the river, but through her [Ultima] I learned that my spirit shared in the spirit of all things.”
― Rudolfo Anaya, Bless Me, Ultima
Time
“How to stop time: kiss.
How to travel in time: read.
How to escape time: music.
How to feel time: write.
How to release time: breathe.”
*author unknown
Ah, yes just breathe…. and all time and eternity are yours.
How to be absorbed by time – stay in the moment, and notice everything. Be there with and in time, as one moment moves to another….
I Fall a Little Bit in Love…
“I think I fall in love a little bit with anyone who shows me their soul. This world is so guarded and fearful. I appreciate rawness so much.”
-Emery Allen
The bright light of each and every unique soul creates stunning and radiant beauty. Yes, there is more than a little love in witnessing the raw essence of the individual beings that have offered me the privilege of knowing them well…
Love is Love
Equal dignity in the eyes of the law. Finally.
My heart is singing and I am thinking of so many friends…. Love reigns, love rules, love is all you need, let there be more love in the world…..
Celebrating love today!
“A lifetime without Love is of no account
Love is the Water of Life
Drink it down with heart and soul!”
-Rumi
Before You Speak…
Ask four questions;
Is it true?
Is it kind?
Is it necessary?
Does it improve on silence?
This I understand is the Buddhist way of deciding whether to break a silence. I think it vitally important and compassionate to consider all of these before speaking. Words have power that resonate long after they’ve been spoken. To take care and be impeccable with your word, as The Four Agreements teach us, is a loving way to go about our days. Every hour I endeavor to do so – some days better than others…. It’s a learning journey we’re all on, so I’ll be kind to myself and others when we fall short of the mark.
Many A Calm River
“Many a calm river begins as a turbulent waterfall, yet none hurtles and foams all the way to the sea.”
-Mikhail Lermontov
A Richness
“The cost of anything is the amount of life you exchange for it”~ Henry David Thoreau
Wanting and needing less. Understanding the true cost of things as they relate to expenditure of life force and time. These are pursuits of this stage of the journey in my life.
Being immersed completely in the sounds of the ocean,
and the forest.
Being aware of the raven’s call.
Observing the wild ones with an honoring.
Noticing the nuances of spring’s unfolding.
Feeling the energy of life all around.
Being immersed and aware of life. Is enough. Is “free”. Is freeing.
These are the riches that enhance, build up, and do not deplete your resources.
Yes, there is a richness.
A deep and satisfying wealth of experiences in these gifts.