Inspiration

UU thoughts, sermons, music

A Terrible and Beautiful Presence

LdeG

UU minister James Ishmael Ford on his belief

In my youth I prayed to know God. I prayed with complete earnestness, with the fullness perhaps only a youth can muster with a deal. Show me your face and after that you can kill me. I meant it. And I was met with silence.

Many years have passed. Today, by most conventions I’m an atheist. That is I do not believe in a human-like consciousness that directs things. In a universe of uncertainty I come as close as a human mind can to certainty that there is no deity that acts within history.

And, within my experience there is something. Sometimes I call it presence. Sometimes I call it love. I suspect I know the grubby roots of that love, how it arises within my mammalian consciousness. But, it seems to have a larger existence, as well.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/monkeymind/2015/09/a-terrible-beautiful-presence.html

Thoughts about Stress

CZ

I have been struggling with stress a lot lately. The truth of this picture is both unsettling and motivating. It is important for more than just our bodies to work on stress.

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So, then the question becomes, “how do we do this?” Or “what can I do to lower my stress levels?” The answer is “There are many ways.”

One way to do this is to meditate. Take time to breathe. Color a picture. Build something with stones, like this:

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Or say a prayer or chant like this one:

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Take a few moments to talk to a friend. Hold and pet an animal. Go outside and enjoy the beautiful weather. Drink a cup of tea. Sing a song.

There are many ways to relax and reduce stress. The most important thing to do is to learn that you are important enough to take the time for yourself and remember:

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~Namaste
Cricket

Morning Illumination

CZ

Take Courage
       by Wayne B. Arnaz on

Take courage friends.
The way is often hard, the path is never clear,
and the stakes are very high.
Take courage.
For deep down, there is another truth:
you are not alone.

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Hope you all have a blessed day.

Namaste,
Cricket

The Dangers of a Single Story

CZ

The Nigerian story teller, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, explains in this video how stories give us different views of the world. With humor, grace, and personal anecdotes, she illustrates that the single story creates incomplete stereotypes which makes people lives a flat experience.

I believe that listening to multiple stories we are able to increase the dignity of others.

Namaste,

Cricket

Watch “GREAT SPIRIT [official music video]” on YouTube

CZ

Here the lyrics:

Great spirit, I have had it
Bring me back to the nomadic
Way of weaving through the damage
Mindful, stay mindful
Great spirit, for my sisters
Let me be a flowing river
Flood the banks, the rocks that bind her
Carry, I’ll carry
Great, great spirit
Great, great spirit
Great spirit, for my brothers
Let me be a mountain under
Which he climbs to discover his process
Now that’s progress
Great spirit, all that hinders
Tie reminders to my fingers
I must speak with you more often
Great, great spirit
Great, great spirit
Great spirit, for my relations
Give them strength to face racism
In every single situation
Easy now, go on speak loud
Great spirit, take me instead
Guide me down the road of red
Tunkashila, I am saying, praying,
Great, great spirit
Great, great spirit
Tunkashila (grandfather)
Tunkashila
Tunkashila
Tunkashila
Great spirit, just don’t collapse
Nothing but the earth will last
And I’ll be singing sweetly into the darkness
Now hark this
Great spirit on my tongue,
Be still, be still
The time will come when everyone will sing
All life is sacred,
While I’m waiting
Great spirit, my fist is up
Bringing the power to the people, you’re reflection of us
Some of your people can’t hear it, the cries of the earth
Some of your people can’t feel it, the way that it hurts
And it hurts, great spirit
And it moves, great spirit
Interconnected in the wreckage of a paradigm on its way out
Its way out
Speakin’ a spiritual lyrical testimony
The spirit that did resist weavin’ around false prophesies
Spirit directed and selected with the message I bring
While the ship slowly sinks I’ve been directed to sing
I’m like a wreckin’ ball breakin’ down the walls of the past
A minimalist livin’ on bliss with the last of my cash
You’re gonna be justified with how you treated the land
You’re gonna be by my side when I stand and demand a change
Tunkashila
Tunkashila
Tunkashila
Tunkashila
Great, great spirit
Great, great spirit
Tunkashila

This song speaks to me on many levels. I really enjoyed the dancing in the video. I hope it brings you peace and thoughts.

~Namaste
Cricket