"The work of Temenos could not be more important..." "In the great spiritual traditions of the world it is understood that wisdom and compassion go hand in hand. But it is also understood that following this path requires both courage... Continue Reading →
In the Season of Lights posts that I've shared here over the years, many traditions include teachings about our Divine Spark -- "This Little Light of Mine" as the song goes (see yesterday's post for Bruce's amazing, smile-inducing rendition of... Continue Reading →
"Only when distress turns to remembrance and blame of others is erased, is pride extracted from our egos, humbleness settles in our hearts, and the door of grace opens." ~ A paraphrase from Kabir Dede. A heart-centering reflection for the... Continue Reading →
Ever wonder just what you can do, contribute, in the face of what often seems overwhelming odds, too much tragedy and suffering, and powerful pot-stirrers who seem to jones on and profit from the mess? I know I've mused and... Continue Reading →
Happy Protomagia, as my Greek friend Marinela says, a.k.a. Beltane or May Day (a traditional "thank God we survived the long Winter" celebratory and abundance-appreciating reference before 'May Day' got co-opted for martial purposes! Also connected with Persephone and her... Continue Reading →
Have you noticed a bit of a change in (inner and outer) atmosphere in recent days? For several weeks, we enjoyed (or not) a concentration of those flowing (or snowing) Piscean energies in the macro-sphere, as Venus and Mercury joined... Continue Reading →
“In her final session with Jung, social activist Isabelle Hamilton Rey was told to “Go home and live it now.” As she wrote to her husband, "I did what I came here to do — touch the hem of Dr.... Continue Reading →
It's been a wild few weeks, on the macro and micro, and life's kept me busier than usual in the local, interpersonal, in-the-thick-of-it realm. Even so, quite a few Sophia's Children musings have been brewing and incubating, so stay tuned.... Continue Reading →
"There is mystery at the heart of what holds us together, expressed in shared symbols, stories and experiences." ~ Brigidine Sisters On the last eve of January, we enter into the Mysteries of Imbolc, Candlemas, or Lá Fhéile Bhrìghde. As... Continue Reading →
"Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. We must forever conduct our struggle on the high plane of dignity and discipline. We must not allow our creative protest... Continue Reading →
What does one say in the face of the unspeakable, as Thomas Merton called it? I know that I'm not the only one who's been deeply reflecting on this in recent days and weeks, even in the midst of the... Continue Reading →
"I know it is possible for leaders to use their power and influence, their insight and compassion, to lead people back to an understanding of who we are as human beings, to create conditions for our basic human qualities of... Continue Reading →
“Here is what we seek: a compassion that can stand in awe at what the poor have to carry rather than stand in judgment at how they carry it.” ~ Rev. Gregory J. Boyle, S.J., Founder, Homeboy Industries Author, Tattoos... Continue Reading →
Thanks to Persephone Rose for sharing this on her Spirit Garden blog. Lisa Miller's story and message will resonate with many who've walked the challenging yet hallowed ground of initiation, graceful messages, and spiritual awakening that shifts perspective and our... Continue Reading →
“We cannot think our way out of this crisis, we must imagine it.” ~ Becca Tarnas, Toward an Imaginal Ecology That echos two of Albert Einstein's insights. Here's the first, and you'll likely recognize it: "We can't solve problems by... Continue Reading →
"...it is better to enlighten than merely to shine." ~ St. Thomas Aquinas, O.P., Summa Theologica, II-II, q. 188, a. 6. That bit of wisdom from St. Thomas Aquinas caught my attention a few days ago, when I came across... Continue Reading →
Here's another lovely musing from fellow mystic-writer (etc.) Mirabai Starr. I recently shared a perspective from her on the Feminine Mystic. This one is how she describes her own experience of walking the InterSpiritual Way. Different from interspiritual or multi-faith,... Continue Reading →
Both of these Attitude Adjusters brought to you by Rob Brezsny's Pronoia is the Antidote for Paranoia: How the Whole World is Conspiring to Shower You with Blessings. I've been enjoying yet another (re)visit with this perception-shifting gem -- it's... Continue Reading →
There's an InterSpiritual exploration underway ... or an evolutionary wave, some say, that builds on the work of people like Thomas Merton, the Dalai Lama, and others who reached across the division-lines of different religious and spiritual traditions to find common threads, and more. This blog post from a fellow blogger shares a bit more about the InterSpiritual explorations underway now, and includes a powerful image to make the point.
“Being a Christian shaman involves a radically different way of participating in everyday life. It means that you will sacrifice rarely questioned cultural habits and understandings in favor of honoring innumerable unspoken mysteries.” ~ Brad Keeney, Shamanic Christianity My guess... Continue Reading →
Happy Fifth Day of Christmas to you all, whether you celebrate Christmas or honor the Spirit of the Season in other ways. As we near the threshold of the passing of this past calendar year and the dawn of a... Continue Reading →
“There are times when our offering is not necessarily some tangible gift or helpful act, but rather simply a peaceful manner. If we are clear and present, if we are quiet and centered, then others may be nourished simply by... Continue Reading →
Real wisdom, the voice of the human spirit, is timeless, no matter the language or 'parlance of the times' it expresses in, or through whom it flows. And those who invoke it -- those who walk the Underworld or Hero's... Continue Reading →
I deeply appreciate Laura's perspectives shared here in her blog post. As I jotted in her comments section, this post in itself (as are so many) is a portal or potential doorway into dialogue with "those who have ears to... Continue Reading →
Heightened sensitivity and discerning focus. Divine guidance and devoted practice. Big Love and attentive thought. Inspired vision and skillful action. Cosmic Intelligence and Indigenous Soul. Heavenly Wisdom and Earth Magic. These are some of the specific themes of this full... Continue Reading →
This is a powerful perspective from Gary ‘Z’ McGee, shared by Laura Bruno. Gary Z's article includes some of my own favorite themes and insights, like the fierce-and-fiery wisdom of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King when he spoke of... Continue Reading →
I'm just revisiting Llewellyn Vaughan-Lee's book, The Return of the Feminine and the World Soul, which I wrote about in 2010 when I first received and read it (find that post here). Whenever I'm guided to revisit it, as with... Continue Reading →
Seems like it's always a fine time to center into the everyday magic of kindness, simple things (a.k.a. what Dorothy Day called 'the little work'), and other 'revolutionary acts'. See what stirs for you ... Big Love, Jamie
New Moon. Black Moon. Black Madonna. Here's the story. When I saw the 'black moon' reference for the 18 February Aquarius New Moon at Earthsky.org, the Black Madonna arose in my awareness. She's been surfacing for me again anyway in... Continue Reading →
I intended to reblog Laura Bruno's important and insightful (and thus highly recommended) review-post about the late Monica Sjöö's book, The Return of the Dark/Light Mother, but stationing Mercury apparently had something else in mind. So we go with the... Continue Reading →
Some traditions refer to the Divine Spark or Inner Light within us, which is hidden from us, then found, cultivated, and shared forth as 'medicine' or remedy for the world in these times. This awareness was part of the deeper,... Continue Reading →
Here's a theme that's been growing in strength: the importance of reclaiming the power of our focus from the myriad bling-bling distractions, reclaiming the power of our dreaming, so that we can direct more and more of it towards desirable... Continue Reading →