Sanctuary

In a church, a temple or a mosque; on the mountain, by the river, in the forest, along the shore; we each find our sanctuary in different places. Sometimes we find sanctuary in each other. In the bright eyes of a child; the warm gesture of a friend; the intimate touch of our lover.

I often find myself contemplating my ideal sanctuary. I seek that special place where I can feel safe, secure and protected from my own negative self-talk. Those of us who spend our days plotting, planning, intellectualizing and rationalizing can too frequently get lost in the maze; the maze of earthly concerns and material wants. Our spirit is best fed by the poetry of nature: the crispness of the morning air; the scent of the blossoming flower; the song of the meandering river; and the strength of the giant oak. In nature, I remember my purpose. I must learn to see not only with my eyes, but with my spirit as well.


In nature, we learn the cycle of life. There is a clarity that we can not find in man-made doctrine. We tend to seek stability in our lives; stability means stagnation. The "answers" we seek come to us in abstraction; unsettling and mysterious. This mystery is the source of all true art and science; or so said Albert Einstein. This mystery is the source of our faith that feeds our spirit.

In those moments of clarity, among the splendor of nature we are inspired; we are forgiven; we are renewed. We can accept that success and failure are man-made measures. We believe that there is little difference between your faith and mine, but the man-made trappings of religion. We find the unity we seek in sanctuary.

To sit and watch an animal, a flower, the tree, we can recognize the dignity, the innocence, the holiness of nature. All working in unison, at different paces, to create this sanctuary and abide by the cycle of life.

The lesson we should take from this is that all of mankind is a mix of "people becoming"; all at different paces. We are all at different stages of our spiritual evolution. Those at the "same stage" choose to practice similar beliefs. We are all on different paths; not one right or one wrong. It is the search for sanctuary and enlightenment.

At My Thanksgiving Table

On the fourth Thursday of November, each year, Americans sit down at a table with family and friends to celebrate Thanksgiving. The feast is endless and the drink flows freely.

At my table, among the friends and family, among the memories of those who have gone before us, I embrace some special guests.

At my table, Faith takes a seat. Faith reminds us that we should not require proof or evidence to believe in the goodness of humanity. Faith maintains that our trust, confidence and reliance in our spiritual beliefs will be rewarded with the promise.

At my table, Respect joins with arms open. Respect teaches us to consider each other and each other's beliefs with deference, courtesy and regard. Respect tells us that this regard is not to be offered just to others, but to ourselves as well.

At my table, Peace brings harmony and tranquility. Peace is so very fragile and is often not seen. But on this day of Thanksgiving, we pray for a day with peace; the absence of war and the presence of an undisturbed state of mind.

At my table, Friendship surrounds us. In Friendship we can see each other's face; warmly supportive; deeply loved; and, forever forgiving. Friendship helps us to remember that we are not alone in our endeavors and we can not achieve greatness without each other.

At my table, Hope cautions us on our expectations. Hope, in its purest form has no expectations. Hope offers us solutions. Hope inspires us. Hope brings the future to our table.

At my table, Patience steadies us. The stresses and tediousness of our lives often leads us to forget patience. Patience gives us strength, fortitude and stoicism to endure.

At my table, Charity prevails. Charity lights our love for humankind. With charity we can lighten our hearts with benevolence, affection and goodwill. Charity does not judge others.

At my table, Forgiveness asks us to forgo our anger. In forgiveness we can give up our resentment and eliminate our desire to punish. And like Respect, Forgiveness reminds us that it not just for others; we must learn to use forgiveness for ourselves.

At this season of Thanksgiving, I pray that these guests come to my table each and every day. I pray that they can find a seat at yours as well.

Your Karma is Interferring with my Qi

Remember the second "Ghostbusters'" film? The one where the river of pink slime ran through the underground tunnels of New York City? The pink slime that emitted bad vibes, bad karma, bad Qi (Chi)? Remember how contagious that dark mood became? Well, I think it was in the grocery store last night.

I had to run up for a few items and to pick up a prescription. I could feel that something was unsettled when I parked the car. It wasn't yet nightfall, but there was a darkness over the store; perhaps it was the pending rain that eventually came our way. I didn't find a single smile in the store. I found frustration, impatience, anger and even despair as one young man approached me for a few dollars. There was a sadness and it stuck to me.

When I got home, my sister asked me what was wrong. It was apparent. My energy was zapped while picking up some milk, fruit and muffins. I retreated to my space to recover. The negative energy had drained me. After an hour of breathing and and re-focusing, I was re-centered.

I began contemplating the concepts of Qi (Chi) and karma. Did everyone in there have bad karma? Or did one person have bad karma that infiltrated the Qi?

Qi (Chi) is translated literally as "air" or "breath". It is the "energy flow"; the force. Karma is the law of moral causation; literally: action or doing. It is believed that the differences in our lives is a product of past lives - previous actions - creating accumulated karmic tendencies. Any kind of intentional action - thought, word or deed - is regarded as karma. Is karma and Qi a philosophical/theological paradox like the "chicken or the egg"?

If Qi (Chi) is the life breath that animates all living beings, does it arise from matter or does matter arise from Qi (Chi)?

I believe that we function as "one". Your actions and thoughts affect me. Mine, affect you. We are connected. We cannot escape that connection. That, I believe is the "Plan".

It began raining late last night. It is still raining; a steady, hard rain. The rain was needed to cleanse the Qi (Chi). I feel much better.

May the force be with you.

Spark of Faith

Senator Ted Kennedy's funeral is about to begin. The bells of the Basilica are ringing. I am reminded of the song "Three Bells". The chapel bells ring for Johnny Brown's birth; again for his marriage; and again for his death. Continuity; as it should be; not always as it is.

More of us than not, begin our physical lives in a hospital; and in most instances, end our physcial lives there as well. In our spiritual life we come of age in the Church and return there at the end.

And the cycle continues.

In these "celebrations of life" that the living carry out for the dead, it is the physical life that is commemorated. As the life is returned to the Church, shouldn't the celebration commemorate the spirit?

The spirit in all of it's glory; warts and all? For it is that story that the true character is exposed. The failings that are corrected; the acts of kindness that are revealed; the somber moments of failed faith and the consequences that ensue. The spark of the soul is like that of a fire. It may sometimes burn brightly and if not tended may reduce to mere embers; but with the grace of God and the acts of humanity, the fire is stoked and the spirit returns to the glow of faith.

As we connect with each other in our lifetimes, we share the spark of divinity; it is transferred in those moments of friendship, compassion and consolation. We share it through a tender touch, a wink of the eye and in the words of reprimand. It is together that the flame of faith ignites our souls. The flame burns most brightly in the face of forgiveness. Forgiveness of others, but more importantly forgiveness of self.

Before we make that last trip to the Church we must ready ourselves and set our souls free through forgiveness of self. As in life, it is the "brightest" that finds the glory in the Kingdom beyond.

Shine on.