Anyone who seeks to investigate a religious truth can be assisted by realizing that everything has an inner meaning and an outer meaning. This is absolutely fundamental to understanding the sacred verses revealed by God.
Take Thanksgiving. This Thanksgiving, as I was working and was not invited to any celebrations that day, I drove to a restaurant and ate turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, dressing, salad, cranberry sauce, and so forth. During this lonely feast my ever-present existential sense of being alone became very apparent. Eating a meal which contains traditional foods is not Thanksgiving. However, if you are surrounded with family and friends, and share bread and water in a spirit of love and fellowship, and call it this, that would be Thanksgiving.
The outer meaning of Thanksgiving is that you see people eating certain traditional foods at a table on a certain holiday. The inner meaning of Thanksgiving is the joy of being together, gathering with a sense of gratitude for all that we share.
When we read sacred verses revealed by God, it can be extremely helpful to ponder and reflect, asking ourselves: "What is the inner meaning of this verse?"
Watch for further posts on this subject.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Divided Emotions
I posted my blog before I realized that my smiling emoticon ended up split by the word wrap, so it just looked like a meaningless semicolon, followed by a carrot.
Here is Arlene's emoticon for "If you drive on the left side of the road, it's crazy but you, as British, have a perfect right to do it--somewhere else.": The Emoticon: ; >.
Let's see if it turns out schizophrenic this time.
Here is Arlene's emoticon for "If you drive on the left side of the road, it's crazy but you, as British, have a perfect right to do it--somewhere else.": The Emoticon: ; >.
Let's see if it turns out schizophrenic this time.
Baha'i Devotional Morning
Although I leave for work in a few minutes, as I work the evening shift, I had the pleasure of seeing the Baha'is this morning at Tim and Deb's Devotional meeting with waffles [!]. I loved the selection of writings about Baha'i civilization, and it put some thoughts into my head for teaching the Faith.
To my delight I met a young woman who has served at the Baha'i World Center in Haifa, Israel, who had some good ideas for what to do with our 3-4 days in Israel prior to the start of Pilgrimage. Given that there are some places we are warned to avoid, such as Jerusalem, the West Bank [Gaza goes without saying], Cara suggested we rent a car and drive to the Sea of Galilee. With a car we will have more mobility to go exactly where we want, when we want. Okay, I realize that for some people this is a no-brainer, but I really had not considered trying to drive in a foreign country. As long as we drive on the American, i.e., correct side of the road ; > . Freedom!
I found myself speaking with my friend Bonita, who is going on Pilgrimage in April, and urging her to get the passports now, as it takes some lag time.
After the waffles, I went to Office Max and found some inexpensive small [6 X 9] clipboards. Maybe because at the SNF where I work as a nurse, I keep myself organized with a clipboard, it seemed like a good idea to keep my papers organized on a purse-sized clipboard when we travel.
Time to get ready for work.
To my delight I met a young woman who has served at the Baha'i World Center in Haifa, Israel, who had some good ideas for what to do with our 3-4 days in Israel prior to the start of Pilgrimage. Given that there are some places we are warned to avoid, such as Jerusalem, the West Bank [Gaza goes without saying], Cara suggested we rent a car and drive to the Sea of Galilee. With a car we will have more mobility to go exactly where we want, when we want. Okay, I realize that for some people this is a no-brainer, but I really had not considered trying to drive in a foreign country. As long as we drive on the American, i.e., correct side of the road ; > . Freedom!
I found myself speaking with my friend Bonita, who is going on Pilgrimage in April, and urging her to get the passports now, as it takes some lag time.
After the waffles, I went to Office Max and found some inexpensive small [6 X 9] clipboards. Maybe because at the SNF where I work as a nurse, I keep myself organized with a clipboard, it seemed like a good idea to keep my papers organized on a purse-sized clipboard when we travel.
Time to get ready for work.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Resonating with 1968
We watched the movie "Bobby" last evening, a terrific story in how the characters were drawn: mostly round [vs. flat] characters. Resonating with the parallels between forty years ago and today: the excitement of having a presidential candidate with such high ideals, and so well-connected with the common man. Though the Kennedy's came from such a privileged background they seem to be motivated by high ideals, rather than the profit motive made apparent by the actions and lifestyles of many politicians. Now we have a president-elect also with that exhilarating spirit that so seems to reflect the ideals of the oneness of humanity, gender equality, peace based on justice, and even walking a spiritual path with practical feet. Thinking of what happened to two of three of major Kennedy politicians, I certainly hope Mr. Obama survives.
I realized from watching this film that Sirhan Sirhan was of Palistinian nationality and shot Robert Kennedy because of his sympathy to Israeli interests.
1968: I was eleven, my oldest sister was married and still is happily married, and we had a winter from hell, at one time in Eastern Washington measuring 50 below zero, and snow on the ground for months.
I realized from watching this film that Sirhan Sirhan was of Palistinian nationality and shot Robert Kennedy because of his sympathy to Israeli interests.
1968: I was eleven, my oldest sister was married and still is happily married, and we had a winter from hell, at one time in Eastern Washington measuring 50 below zero, and snow on the ground for months.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Light and Mercy
Tests are outwardly fire and vengeance, inwardly light and mercy. This is because every test in this world that we meet is a great opportunity to develop and strengthen inner, spiritual qualities needed in the next world. A month or two ago I stood in line at the US Bank housed in the Albertsons store that had more business for about half an hour than personnel to meet its needs. One of the gentlemen in front of me was an endless font of complaint and criticism. I refrained from pointing out to him that standing in line was a priceless opportunity to develop patience. Somehow I didn't think he would be receptive; I couldn't figure out a wording that would not come out hideously smug.
After reading Roger's comments which led to reading his pilgrimage journal from a year ago [see comments on previous blog] I am even more fired up about going on pilgrimage. The tests I have been receiving in the past month seem geared to purifying my spirit. At work the other day [I work in a SNF, aka a nursing home] I became so frustrated with new admissions requiring oxygen and not having any concentrators available for them, I ended up invoking the name of Jesus Christ in a spirit of complete frustration. The incoming Agency nurse, overhearing this, responded in a very haughty tone, "Praise His name!"
Naturally one cannot fault someone for objecting to swearing. Perhaps I should have asked her, "What are your favorite words?" Anyhow, swearing is one of those habits which is hard to reverse. Like putting toothpaste back into the tube. I wish I had thought of that whenever I adopted it. One tries to come up with alternative phrases and words. I'm thinking of learning some innocent foriegn phrases, such as "pass the salt," which I can say when the chips are down. I can leave the impression I said something naughty, release my anger, and have the satisfaction of knowing my imprecations were totally innocent. Ooh, maybe something from the speech of Mordor. Hmm.
As I commented to Earthlink one time when I was bumped off the dial-up one too many times, this sucks monkey eyeballs. Although I thought it was ridiculous and hilarious at the time, they responded that there was no reason for abusive language. There is just no pleasing some people.
After reading Roger's comments which led to reading his pilgrimage journal from a year ago [see comments on previous blog] I am even more fired up about going on pilgrimage. The tests I have been receiving in the past month seem geared to purifying my spirit. At work the other day [I work in a SNF, aka a nursing home] I became so frustrated with new admissions requiring oxygen and not having any concentrators available for them, I ended up invoking the name of Jesus Christ in a spirit of complete frustration. The incoming Agency nurse, overhearing this, responded in a very haughty tone, "Praise His name!"
Naturally one cannot fault someone for objecting to swearing. Perhaps I should have asked her, "What are your favorite words?" Anyhow, swearing is one of those habits which is hard to reverse. Like putting toothpaste back into the tube. I wish I had thought of that whenever I adopted it. One tries to come up with alternative phrases and words. I'm thinking of learning some innocent foriegn phrases, such as "pass the salt," which I can say when the chips are down. I can leave the impression I said something naughty, release my anger, and have the satisfaction of knowing my imprecations were totally innocent. Ooh, maybe something from the speech of Mordor. Hmm.
As I commented to Earthlink one time when I was bumped off the dial-up one too many times, this sucks monkey eyeballs. Although I thought it was ridiculous and hilarious at the time, they responded that there was no reason for abusive language. There is just no pleasing some people.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Clap If You Believe In Fairies
I was happy to receive a few comments recently. Not knowing the technology for monitoring whether I have any readers, I feel very isolated sometimes. Having comments cheered my heart immensely. Maybe people believe in fairies after all. No hissing, anyway.
With all due respect to James Barrie.
With all due respect to James Barrie.
Pilgrimage Plans
I found a book on Israel which was acquired from an estate sale earlier in the year, am reading about places to look at that might be interesting but are not too close to Gaza or the West Bank, etc. The Baha'i World Center sent a pamphlet restricting travel from certain areas considered less safe. We are planning to arrive in Tel Aviv three or four days in advance of the actual Pilgrimage dates, on the theory that we ought to see some of Israel after traveling so far, and that we'll probably want to just go home in the glow of pilgrimage afterwards.
I'd like to see the Masada, and also Megiddo, scene of the battle of Armageddon [which actually already happened during World War One.] I don't really want to rent a car, however. I also need a good hotel [affordable] in Tel Aviv. We are supposed to arrive in Haifa about 9 PM on February first. Maybe we can see Megiddo on the way there.
From the news it looks like a good idea to stay more than 22 miles from Gaza. Unless Hezbollah attacks, which has longer range rockets. So far no news from the World Center cancelling Pilgrimage. Yay!
I'd like to see the Masada, and also Megiddo, scene of the battle of Armageddon [which actually already happened during World War One.] I don't really want to rent a car, however. I also need a good hotel [affordable] in Tel Aviv. We are supposed to arrive in Haifa about 9 PM on February first. Maybe we can see Megiddo on the way there.
From the news it looks like a good idea to stay more than 22 miles from Gaza. Unless Hezbollah attacks, which has longer range rockets. So far no news from the World Center cancelling Pilgrimage. Yay!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
