September 1, 2021 I recently was introduced to the Japanese Buddhist tradition of Wabi-sabi. According to Leonard Koren, “Wabi-sabi is a beauty of things imperfect, impermanent, and incomplete. It is a beauty of things modest and humble. It is a beauty of things unconventional” (Wabi-Sabi for Artists, Designers, Poets, and Philosophers). Wabi-sabi has an ancientContinueContinue reading “The Eyes of Wabi-Sabi”
Tag Archives: contemplation
“Going” on the Prayer Path
July 26, 2021 Decades later, I still remember a cross-stitched saying in a plain wooden frame that hung on the wall of my family doctor’s office. It read, “The hurrier I go, the behinder I get.” As a child of five or six, I recall being bemused by that quotation. Were hurrier and behinder reallyContinueContinue reading ““Going” on the Prayer Path”
“Looking” on the Prayer Path
July 20, 2021 On the spiritual journey, it helps to remember that we are created to be spiritual beings as well as human doings. Life isn’t all about what we produce. It also involves who we are becoming, and if we believe we are made in the image of Something Bigger than us, of aContinueContinue reading ““Looking” on the Prayer Path”
Stopping on the Prayer Path
As a poet, writer, and spiritual seeker, the description of my blog, Spirit-reflections, reads: “Walking the ancient path and shining the Light with prose, poetry, and prayer.” I believe that we, as spiritual beings, have much to learn from our ancestors who also trusted in something bigger than themselves. If we fail to look back,ContinueContinue reading “Stopping on the Prayer Path”
President Biden & Holy Communion
In my early years of ministry, I found myself in a life-changing position for all involved. A teenager and her mother came to me for direction because the single teen (I will call her Beth) was pregnant. Beth had the support of her mother for whatever decision she made, but it was clear that whatContinueContinue reading “President Biden & Holy Communion”
Do All Religions “Suck”?
A couple of days ago, I happened to find myself a lane over and behind a compact car that sported two identical bumper stickers which read: “All Religions Suck.” I guess the driver wanted to make her or his point twice. I wished at that moment that I could have stopped the car and goneContinueContinue reading “Do All Religions “Suck”?”
Lakes, Chapels, God, and Prayer
We recently returned from western North Carolina where we had the opportunity to visit Lake Junaluska, situated in the heart of a Methodist Camp and Conference Center and surrounded by the Blue Ridge Mountains and numerous old shade trees. If ever there were a place to commune with the Divine, by whatever name one callsContinueContinue reading “Lakes, Chapels, God, and Prayer”
Let There Be Light
In the beginning when God created the heavens and the earth, the earth was a formless void and darkness covered the face of the deep, while a wind from God swept over the face of the waters. Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. So begins the story of creation in the Judeo-ChristianContinueContinue reading “Let There Be Light”
The COVID-19 Pandemic as “a Time to Keep”
A time to keep, and a time to throw away. Eccl. 3: 6 A few days ago, we entertained a couple in our home for dinner—a couple we had not seen in well over a year due to the pandemic. On the one hand, the experience felt surreal, and on the other, it felt likeContinueContinue reading “The COVID-19 Pandemic as “a Time to Keep””
Enjoy
As I contemplated moving from ashes to hope during this yearly transition between winter and spring, and giving to instead of giving up for Lent, I noticed this sign during a recent beach visit, and it struck me with its mixed message. Do not take your dog to the beach. Do not sleep on theContinueContinue reading “Enjoy”
Spirit Reflections 